Finding out that you have a sick or dying tree is disappointing, to say the least—trees add a lot of character, shade and shelter to our yards. They’re a valuable part of the ecosystem, as well as an aesthetic feature. However, dying trees are dangerous—branches can fall and injure people, animals and property.

When your trees are dying, you might wonder if they can possibly be saved. Read on to learn about spotting and caring for a sick tree in Baton Rouge:

• Few healthy leaves: Unless it’s autumn, your tree probably shouldn’t have a lot of dead, brown leaves. If you notice that your tree has just a few healthy leaves on its branches, it’s probably suffering from disease.
• Brittle, cracking bark: Look at the bark on your tree trunk. Is it brittle or cracking? Are large vertical pieces of bark missing? Deep splits—especially if they form cavities in the trunk or branches—weaken the tree’s structural integrity, and can be quite dangerous if not removed right away.
• It’s full of pests or fungus: Pests like insects and rodents can make their home in your trees. Fungus and bacteria are also tree killers. Look for patches of discolored or depressed bark, mushrooms near the base of the tree and other signs of rot. Pests might leave behind sawdust-like droppings, or you might spot them on and in your tree.
• You see root damage: Root damage manifests in thinner, yellow or brown foliage, dead branches, wilted leaves and a lack of new growth.
• It has a lean: Your tree can develop a lean due to storms and strong winds, or simply because its structure no longer supports its weight. Trees that are bent in severe storms are often unable to recover—it might be safest to have them removed.
• It fails the scratch test: When you scratch your tree’s bark with a knife, there should be green new growth underneath. If the tree is dry and brown underneath, the tree is probably dead, but you should check the trunk and multiple branches to evaluate the extent of the damage.
• There’s a lot of dead wood: Finally, dead wood is a telltale sign of a sick tree. It’s normal to have a few dead branches, even when you regularly prune—but if you notice a lot of dead wood, your tree may need to be removed before it falls.

Get help with sick tree care in Baton Rouge

So, can you save your sick tree? The answer depends on how severe the damage is, what caused it and how healthy the tree was before. If it’s sick, or if only some parts of it are dying, you might be able to “cure” it and remove the dead branches. Working with an arborist is the best way to save your trees.

If your trees are beyond help and you need to remove them, Allan’s Tree Service can help. We’ve been serving area property owners for nearly two decades and can provide a full range of tree care services. Call today to get a quote.

Categorised in: Tree Care

This post was written by Allan's