Just like us, trees can, and do, get sick. And a sick tree, is an at-risk tree, that could be in danger of falling over. The good news is however, that trees often show tell-tale signs of illness, so if you know what you’re looking for and act fast, your tree can recover and survive. Here’s how you can spot tree disease in your garden.
Signs of tree disease
You or your trusted Arborist need to regularly check your trees for any noticeable changes or signs of illness. Here are the most common signs your tree might be sick.
1. Changes to the tree bark
This one is relatively easy to spot. Signs can include bark that is cracking, peeling, loose, missing, brittle, spongey or has fungus present. All of these signs should be looked at by a professional.
2. The tree suddenly starts to lean
If your tree is leaning where it was straight before, it could be a sign of a structurally weakened tree and it will need to be inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
3. Changes to the leaves
If you notice subtle changes such as discolouration, wilting, changes in size and shape, leaf loss or lack of leaves, blemishes, holes and signs of pests – it could be the sign of a bigger issue. There are a number of issues leaf changes can indicate such as lack of light, water and nutrients, or it could be a disease or pest infestation.
4. Signs of pest infestation
The most common pests here in Australia are termites, borers, wood wasps and leaf beetles. Each will give away subtle hints that they are present in the tree such as exit holes, presence of sawdust, mud tubes and nests.
5. Presence of fungus
Fungus on the bark, leaves or in the soil around the tree aren’t a good sign and could be an indication of disease.
6. Cracks, holes or cavities in the trunk
These can often be absolutely harmless, however if the cracks are significant and go far deeper than the bark, it can be the sign of a bigger issue where the tree could be structurally weakened, sick or at risk.
7. Presence of dead, dying or broken branches
Deadwood in a tree can be entirely normal, or it can indicate that the tree is under stress and unwell. It’s best in this situation to have an Arborist take a look at your tree and determine what care is required.
8. Lack of fruit, flowers or cones that are normally present
If you have a fruit tree that normally produces fruit and this season it is not, it could be a sign of a problem. Similarly for flowering trees and softwoods.
If you notice any of these signs in your trees, don’t delay. What may look like nothing much could be the sign of a big problem. A tree that is sick can be a dangerous one that could be prone to falling over in severe weather which could cause untold damage to your home and property and put you and your family at risk. If you are at all unsure what the issue might be or how to treat it, have a professional Arborist do a full inspection and advise the best course of action as soon as possible.
Arborists are highly skilled and experienced in identifying signs of tree disease and know how to effectively treat disease and infestation to give your tree the best chance of survival. You may think you’re saving some dollars by not hiring an Arborist, but it could save you thousands in the long run if your tree does indeed fall over or needs to be completely removed if it dies.
Professional Tree Care
Entrust your trees to Aussie Tree Solutions and prevent tree disease. We’ve been taking care of Brisbane trees for over 40 years and come backed with a long history of happy clients. Our reputation has been built on our safety-first ethic, specialist knowledge and professional approach. We provide a full range of tree care services from tree pruning and tree removals, to consulting Arborist services, emergency storm damage services and everything in-between. So why not take the hassle out of your tree care?