Is It Just Winter, Or Is My Tree In Trouble?

Certified Arborists Serving Ventura & Los Angeles Counties

News And Advice From The Leading Thousand Oaks Tree Trimming Company

Take one look around your neighborhood and you’ll see that we’ve definitely moved from autumn to early winter. The deciduous trees have pretty nearly shed all their leaves, preparing to save their energy for the winter months. But with such a barren look to so many trees, how can you tell if they’re just going through the normal winter cycle or perhaps have an issue with pests or disease?

Deciduous trees

There are telltale signs if a tree is in trouble, even if it is winter. This is actually a job for two people, and the first one to take charge is you. Follow the tips below and then you’ll know whether it’s time to get in touch with the second person — a professionally trained arborist.

Signs And Symptoms Of Trouble

Ailing trees present clearly identifiable signs if they have a problem with pests or disease. Start by visually examining the trees in your yard. Whether they’re evergreen or deciduous, you can start examining any trees that don’t look perfectly healthy by doing the following:

  • Scratch a small piece of bark off of a few twigs. Look at the layer underneath the bark. If brown and dry, there could be trouble.
  • Check out the base of the trunk. Note if there is anything growing there, including decay-producing fungi or mushrooms.
  • Look at the trunk carefully and note if there is any chipped or peeling bark or if there are any cracks.
  • Look at both the trunk and the larger scaffolding braches — be on the lookout for cavities.
  • Walk around the tree and try to see if there are any dead or hanging branches in the upper crown.

If you spot any of these symptoms, there’s a good chance your tree has a problem. That’s when it’s time to get a licensed, trained and insured arborist involved — that’s when it’s time to give me a call. We’re busy over the winter months as many homeowners know this is the time to take action to prepare landscaping for healthy and vibrant spring growth, so don’t delay.

Safety First

Trees that have health issues but don’t look like they have a problem can be especially problematic. They can pose a safety issue even if there are not hanging branches or if there’s not a leaning trunk. An unhealthy tree can be a safety problem because unhealthy trees are weak, and that means they are more likely to lose branches or tip over in a storm. And the worst part is that their weakness is unpredictable.

So make that one of your New Year’s resolutions: inspect your trees and give us a call if you suspect any one of them has a problem. Then you’ll enter 2021 with a little extra peace of mind!