Learn how to Save a Dying Tree with the help of tips and protect the ecosystem and trees adorning your yard.
Trees are the true boon for us gifted by Mother Nature; they provide us with fresh air to breathe, fruits, shade, and many other by-products. These benefits give us a solid reason to Save a Dying Tree standing in your yard and facing the changing climate and many other issues; follow the best tips in this post.
Identify the Signs
The first and most important step is to decide whether a tree is dying or not. Some symptoms or signs will reveal that your tree is having problems. You can read the signs below.
1. Termites
Emerald ash borers, bark beetles, and termites can harm and kill the trees. Look at the tree for signs such as mud tubes, holes, visual pests are symptoms of an infestation.
2. Spotted Foliage
While it is common for trees to change colors and shed leaves in the fall, observing discolored, spotted, or dead leaves during spring or summer could indicate that your tree is in decline.
3. Fungus on Wood
Although mushrooms serve as nature’s recyclers, their presence can indicate poor tree health and contribute to its decay. Specific types of fungi can infiltrate tree wounds, leading to internal decay and eventual rotting from within.
4. Exposed Roots
Root damage or exposed roots don’t necessarily signify a dying tree. However, when roots break the ground surface, they become prone to harm. Regular inspections are essential to prevent damage from lawn equipment or machinery, making trees more sensitive to diseases and pests.
5. Wounds on Tree
The bark of a tree is its skin, and intense wounds to it can cause the tree to die. Pests, animals, weather, inappropriate pruning, and injury from lawn equipment can generate wounds.
6. Peeling Bark
Trees naturally shed bark as they grow. Yet, if you spot substantial areas of missing bark, it deserves further investigation. Fungus and boring insects can strip bark, eventually leading to the demise of the tree.
Tips to Save a Dying Tree
Take Help of an Arborist
Hire a local arborist; it will be an optimal solution for rescuing a dying tree. Arborists, as specialized tree care professionals, possess the expertise to diagnose issues accurately. While you may spot signs of a dying tree, an arborist can precisely identify the problem and assess if the tree is recoverable. This not only saves you time and effort but also shields your other trees from potential infectious diseases.
The expense can vary greatly based on the required treatment, typically ranging from $250 to $2,500 for hiring an arborist. You might consider consulting them for guidance on saving a dying tree independently, though feasibility links to the nature of the issue and your capacity to undertake the task.
Prune Properly
Cutting branches off trees is important for their growth and health. It can also stop the diseases from spreading. Do it in the right way so the tree doesn’t have accidents and doesn’t get hurt in bad weather.
If you don’t know how to prune a tree, seek expert advice instead of experimenting and causing more problems.
Apply Mulch
Putting mulch around a tree can keep the soil moist and healthy. But you have to do it right: Putting on too much mulch or stacking it up near the tree’s bottom can hurt the tree more.
While applying or layering it, keep about 3 to 6 inches of space around the tree trunk. The mulch should be 1 to 4 inches deep, depending on where you live and the kind of mulch you’re using.
Solve Moisture Related Problems
Trees are tough, but too much or too little water can cause them to die. First, you need to determine whether your tree is too dry or too wet so you can fix the problem.
If your tree seems like it’s not getting enough water, you can put more soil around the bottom of the tree and set up a drip hose for watering regularly. Remember, you might need to change how often you water based on the amount of rain.
If your tree looks like it’s getting too much water, you should try giving it less. Water it less often. Also, check if water is collecting in your yard. To fix this, you can poke holes in your yard to let the water drain better (just be careful not to hurt the tree roots). Or you can hire someone to make the ground slope better so water flows away from the tree.
Nourish the Tree with Fertilizer
Before you use fertilizer on your dying tree, check the soil for nutrients. That way, you can make sure you use the right fertilizer. Be careful when you apply fertilizer because if you don’t do it right, it can hurt the tree. Using too much can even burn the roots, so be careful not to use too much.
