How to Tell if a Tree is Healthy… in 60 Seconds
Trees add a tremendous amount of value to a property; aesthetically and environmentally, which directly impacts the resale value of a property. Nurturing your tree’s health so that it can live to a mature age is often a challenging task in the Prairie Provinces and can require a little extra finesse.
There are signs we can all look for in a 60 second assessment of tree health that will identify potential problems early on. Early detection of symptoms and stresses can be the difference between some minor changes (like increasing a watering schedule or light pruning) to being forced to do a full removal, which will be more costly–both for the labour involved and the value of your property.
How to Do a Tree Assessment
- Start by looking at the overall form of the tree from a distance and work your way closer
- Look at the tree starting at the top and moving down and the from the outside-in.
- Use the chart below as a reference. It contains the parts of the tree you should inspect, slowly getting closer and more detailed with possible signs to inspect and the potential causes of defects.
Please note: The chart below is intended only as a rough guideline. If you need assistance, our ISA Certified arborist crew would love to help. Contact us.
Don’t forget that your trees need to be watered regularly and take time to grow. We briefly discuss how much a tree needs watering here.
Troubleshooting Your Tree From the Top Down
| Tree Part | Issues | Possible Causes | Possible Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall crown/form | Is it full and growing straight? Any tear outs or empty sections? Any dead parts (aka dieback) on the top/middle/bottom? | Does it receive ample sunlight? Storm damage or weak structure? Enough water? | Planting site assessment Structural pruning |
| Limbs | Any damage or defects? Lacking needles or leaves? Dried up/cracking/ brittle? Conks or fungus? Growths, eggs, or soot? | Storm damage Lack of water, salt damage Decay present Touching nearby structures or neighbouring trees Pests or disease present | Corrective pruning Watering schedule adjustment Power wash soot off Prune disease out Additional care depending on pest/disease Further assessment |
| Leaves/Needles | Discoloured? Any visible pests, bumps or spots? Wilting? Holes? Sparse? | Lack of water, salt damage Pests Disease Lack of sunlight or nutrients in soil | Watering schedule adjustment Corrective pruning Additional care depending on pest Further assessment |
| Trunk | Any cankers, cavities, or holes? Bark damaged/discoloured? Conks or fungus? Sap oozing? | Animal or string trimmer/lawn mower Frost or storm damage Decay or disease | Trunk cage or protective bags around trunk Clear obstructions/prevent physical interference Further assessment required |
| Roots | Room to grow? Any damage? Flat or odd shaped trunk? | Animal or lawn mower Objects compacting or obstructing? Root girdling (bark removed)/unhealthy growth | Possible root pruning if tree is young and girdled (bark removed) Adding mulch to prevent compaction Alter traffic pattern (vehicle/pedestrian) Soil amendment + Top dressing |
Talk to us today for help keeping your trees strong and healthy.
