Tree Health: How Much Green is There?

Property owners have a vested interest in keeping healthy trees happy and removing dead trees before they can fall down without warning. One common misconception people have about tree health is that so long as there are just a few green leaves left the tree is alive and can be saved. In reality this is almost never the case. All trees in urban situations are deprived of the essential nutrients needed for trees to grow strong and healthy. Leaves are removed and the process of the decaying organic duff layer is devoid. Then in addition, turf grasses, ground covers and shrubs are planted that heavily compete for remaining nutrients.

Trees light in color, thin, or a tree with numerous dead branches most likely has serious problems some life threatening. Telling if leaves and branches are dead or diseased is simple. Take a look during the normal season when the tree should be exhibiting thick green leaves. Branches with no leaves or buds can be considered dead. If the tree is rife with dead branches and is of significant trunk diameter for species it’s likely that tree has serious problems and at times old and reaching the end of its life. If several sizeable branches have already broken off are green and there is a history of this occurrence, presents the importance of hiring an Arborist (Advanced Tree & Shrub Care) to diagnose the situation for risk.

Younger trees can suffer a lack of green as well, usually the result of poor water management and lack of feeding inviting insects and disease. Bad care, such as” Broccoli” pruning predisposes the tree to weather events, using the wrong type of fertilizers can surge growth. If a tree has not reached the end of its typical life expectancy and shows pronounced previous discussed issues, it’s time to start looking into the cause. Advanced Tree & Shrub Care Certified Arborist can help.

It’s not always easy to admit that trees get old and die. We tend to think of them as being almost permanent fixtures in the landscape. But trees do get old and will eventually die. Contact us if you think it’s time to say goodbye to a tree on your property. Better to get dead trees properly taken down before they can fall down unexpectedly. And then again, who knows, maybe that dreary looking tree still has some life left.