Trees give us many tell-tale signs when they’re struggling or there’s a problem. A trained arborist will be able to spot trouble that the untrained eye can’t see, so please seek professional advice if you think you might have a tree that’s not doing so well.
When it comes to inspecting your trees, we recommend the Four Zone Approach:
Zone 1: Examine the tree as a whole, seen from a distance.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your tree may be sick, imbalanced, dying or in the process of falling over.
- Is the tree leaning? Has it been leaning for a long time?
- Can you see any big dead branches? Are they on one side and on the lower part of the tree?
- Are there sections of the tree where there are no leaves at all? Are leaves dropping earlier than expected, do they look unusual?
- Are the branches dying back from the tips?
It’s important to note that there’s a serious problem when a tree starts to die from the top down.
Zone 2: Look at the ground under the tree, including the visible roots and ground around them, and the first three feet of the trunk.
There are two types of tree roots. The most visible are the large anchoring roots, which hold up the tree. The smaller and invisible absorbing roots provide the tree with water and nutrients from the soil.
Examine the base of the trunk and the ground around the bottom of the tree, it’s here you’ll find any evidence of root problems or other hazards. If you see cracked or raised soil, the tree may in the process of uprooting. Fungus (mushrooms) on or near the tree roots or trunk are a strong indicator of root or trunk decay. Deep cavities near the ground are a bad sign.
Uprooting, root rot, and decay at the base of a tree can be very dangerous situations, which require immediate attention.
TOP TIP:
applying mulch to the critical root zone
will help restore vigour in your tree.
Zone 3: Inspect the trunk and all main vertical stems of the tree.
The trunk holds up the tree and supports the massive weight and its branches, inspect it thoroughly. Look out for:
- Cavities can be dangerous. If there is a cavity above eye level, a ‘climbing’ inspection may be needed to find out how deep it is and if there is decay.
- Cracks and splits in the trunk are extremely dangerous as it could cause the entire tree to fall or break apart at any time.
- When fungus grows where two trunks meet, there is usually weakness below the surface. This requires immediate professional attention.
- Missing bark usually signals a dead section. It can also indicate a surface wound, infection, or a fungus attack.
- Trees with two or more trunks sometimes crack and split where they connect. Strong connections appear as a ‘U’ shape; weak connections resemble a tight ‘V’ shape. A lightly coloured line that contrasts to the natural bark colour is most likely a fresh crack – the tree could be in the process of splitting apart. Consider this to be an emergency situation.
Zone 4: Check the crown – the branches and leaves, including where the branches connect to the trunk and each branch all the way out to the tips.
The crown includes the leaves and all the branches that extend out from the trunk. One of the most common and obvious dangers in a tree’s crown is dead wood. How to spot dead wood:
- If a tree still has green leaves, dead branches will have brown leaves or no leaves at all.
- Branches that have been dead a while won’t have any bark on them. These break easily and should be removed for safety.
- An evergreen tree that has many brown leaves on it in winter is probably dead.
Look for broken branches, especially after a storm. You might not notice a branch is broken for a month or so, when the leaves start to turn brown.
Pockets of decay or rot sometimes exist on the upper side of a branch which you can’t see from the ground.
In summary, inspect your trees regularly, especially after bad weather such as strong winds, excessive rain, or storms. If you think you can see any of the warning signs mentioned above, have your tree evaluated by our trained and certified arborists.
To keep your trees safe, looking great and in a stable and healthy condition, make sure you have them pruned by a professional arborist every three years or whenever you have cause for concern.
Concerned about one of your trees? Send us a message here: Get a Quote – The Tree People