Having trees in your yard is beneficial for a few reasons. They provide shade for your home or business, they provide oxygen, they offer habitats for wildlife, and much more. With so many wonderful benefits of trees in the yard, it’s essential you do what you can to keep your tree healthy at all times.
Unfortunately, there are some factors that can cause a tree to die. Whether it’s a disease, infestation, or improper care, you’ll want to know the signs of a dying tree and how to save a dying tree. When you know what signs to look for and how to prevent a tree from dying, you can save your tree before it’s too late.
For all the best advice on how to save a trick tree continue reading below!
Know the Early Signs
Do you know how to tell the difference between a dying tree and a dead tree? A dying tree isn’t the same thing as a tree that’s already dead. If the tree is in the process of dying, then it may be able to be saved.
What’s most important is detecting the early signs of a dying tree so you can provide proper tree care to bring it back to life. Do keep in mind, a dying tree will appear lifeless, have little to no green leaves, and seem dry, but that doesn’t mean it’s already dead.
A dying tree might also have a bent trunk due to it losing its strength. You might notice cracks on the surface of the tree trunk as well. The best thing to do is to contact a local arborist to determine if the tree is still alive.
Determine the Cause
Once you notice a tree’s dying, you’ll want to determine the cause of the problem. There are several reasons why a tree might be dying. For example, the condition of the environment might have an effect on how well the tree does there.
If you know the type of tree, then do some research on the type of environment it thrives well in. Is there something in its current environment that could be causing it to die? Another thing to consider is a disease and insect infestations.
If a tree falls ill from a disease, then insects could see it as an opportunity to invade. Of course, not all insects infest trees and your tree will most definitely have an insect or two on it. What you need to look out for are harmful insects such as pine beetles, emerald ash borers, and gypsy moths.
Old age and catastrophic events could also cause a tree to die. Once you know the cause, you can then prepare to correct the problem.
Ensure Proper Nourishment
Do you know how much water your tree needs to survive? Be sure to do some research on the specific type of tree. How often does it need water and how much?
Too much or too little water could have a negative effect on the tree. Be sure to water the tree for around two minutes. When doing so, adjust the hose nozzle to prevent soaking the soil with too much water.
The area surrounding the tree should also have a proper drainage system. If you’re not at home or your place of business enough to water your tree as it needs, then you should set your sprinkler system on a timer to do it for you.
Use the Right Mulching Technique
Mulching can help protect your tree but only when done correctly. It’ll help nourish the soil and create a drainage system. You don’t want to lay too much mulch down, though.
You still want the tree roots to breathe. Dig about five inches deep into the soil. Lay about 1 and a half inches of mulch down.
Then, use a rake to spread it.
Prune Using the Correct Method
Pruning is also a method of saving a dying tree and keeping a healthy one healthy. However, you must ensure you’re using the right pruning method. Incorrect pruning can cause damage to the tree.
Different trees and different types of diseases will require a specific pruning method. This is why it’s also more beneficial to have a professional prune and trim the tree for you.
Test and Fertilize the Soil
Testing the soil can give you a good indication of what’s missing from the tree’s health. If a certain nutrient isn’t showing up in the soil test, then you know you’ll need to add it. Fertilizing the yard may be good for the lawn, but be sure to keep a distance from the tree when doing so.
Natural fertilizer is ideal as is the right amount since you don’t want to over-fertilize the area.
Contact Your Local Arbor Tech
When in doubt, never hesitate to contact your local arbor tech. A professional arborist will be able t detect a dying tree from a dead one. They can also remove a dead tree or help you save a dying one and bring it back to life.
Because caring for trees can be such a detailed and specific process, it’s a good idea to have the professionals do the hard work for you.
Know How to Save a Dying Tree Before It’s Too Late
When you follow the advice listed above, you might be able to save a dying tree before it’s too late. Learning how to save a dying tree might take some time, but we want to help. At Arbor-Tech Tree Service, we offer tree trimming, stump grinding, tree removal, tree planting, and plant health.
Contact us today to see how we can help you save your tree!
