This season in the Medford area is the peak time for greenery. Whether evergreen or deciduous, trees should be in their full summer finery for the next few months before the weather begins to turn cool – and leaves begin to turn. That makes summer the ideal time to identify trees on your property that may be at risk.
Unhealthy trees can be dangerous, particularly when the frequent summer storms roll through the area. Identifying and addressing problem trees early on can help prevent them from falling on your property and causing damage or injuries. Quality Tree Service has rounded up a list of six potential signs your tree may be in trouble:
- Missing or discolored leaves. One of the first signs a tree is not healthy is the failure to produce leaves in the spring. However, even if your tree does still produce leaves it doesn’t necessarily mean the tree is healthy – watch for spots, brown edges, and other signs of discoloration before the fall change.
- Bark irregularities. Bark should be continuous, and fairly uniform. If you notice deep cracks or holes, your tree may be dying, diseased, or structurally weak; odd growths can be a sign of disease and a weak interior structure.
- Dead branches. Dead branches – especially sizable limbs – should be removed to prevent them from falling and causing damage to people or property. If your tree has a large number of dead branches it may be a sign the tree is decaying and should be removed.
- Damaged branch unions. Inspect the areas where your tree’s branches meet the trunk. If branches appear to have excess bark near the trunk, appear too close together, or are otherwise cracked or separated from the trunk, they may have a weak branch union and are a fall risk.
- External decay. Trees typically rot internally long before you notice external signs of trouble. By the time your tree shows signs of external decay, such as fungus and mushroom growth or dry, crumbling wood, it’s most likely beyond help.
- Odd tree architecture. While trees are a living organism and don’t grow in a completely symmetric fashion, they should appear even to the untrained eye. If your tree appears to be leaning or growing unevenly, the tree may be damaged, diseased, or at risk of falling.
Do you have unhealthy or damaged trees on your property? Summer is the time to address them- before the next storm causes your troubled tree to become a safety hazard. Contact Quality Tree Service as soon as possible to help you avoid damage.
