Is My Evergreen Tree Dead or Dying?

Healthy Needles

Many homeowners prize their evergreen trees for providing critical wind shields and beautiful foliage all throughout the winter. For these reasons, it can be especially devastating to lose one. Knowing the difference between an injured, diseased, dying, or dead tree can save valuable time and effort – and may potentially even save the tree.

Evergreen Losing Needles

Though it is normal for evergreens to lose needles each year, it is easy to see when the shedding process is not proceeding normally. If more than one third of the interior needles have turned brown and dropped off, or if the young tender needles on the ends of the branches are dying, the chances are your tree is suffering from a disease or pest. Needle blight is the most common cause, but overwatering and root rot can cause the same symptoms.

Discoloration of Evergreen Needles

If the needles are brown, but have not fallen off, there still may be some chance for revival. Brown needles commonly appear during the winter from moisture loss and even sun scald. Buds are rarely affected and the plant will likely green up again in the spring, but a certified arborist should be consulted to check to pests or disease. White needles may be caused by scale, a fungus that can kill young trees and may damage older trees. Many tree care professionals offer tree spraying services especially for the common threats in your area.

Evergreen Tree Dying From Bottom Up

While many pests and diseases begin killing trees from the top to bottom, there are several reasons that an evergreen may be dying from the bottom-up. Many times, the bottom of an evergreen will start to die out simply from lack of sunlight – this is completely normal, and no reason to panic. Another less attractive possibility is the Diplodia tip blight, which manifests as dead branches scattered throughout the tree.

As you can see, there are many natural causes for unattractive needle shedding or discoloration, but for each benign causation there may be a few equally malevolent possibilities. The best bet is to always contact a certified arborist first, or call a reliable tree service professional to come and assess the tree in question.

Top 3 Questions to ask a Tree Service Professional

The recent Southern and Midwest storms have given many homeowners a reason to think about hiring a tree service professional. The powerful winter storms of 2011 are not the only source to blame for significant tree damage throughout the United States – this winter has been particularly rough, leading to an increase in the regular wear-and-tear of young and aging trees. Whether you’re in need of emergency tree care or routine maintenance, there are three major legal questions to ask the company or professional that you choose to hire!

1. Is this tree service professional adequately licensed to operate in your state?

This question can be treated as a pre-qualifier for the next two. If your tree care professional is not licensed in your state, they cannot legally solicit or advertise their services. Additionally, without the proper license, it is impossible for the professional to be bonded or legitimately insured.

2. Is this tree service professional bonded by a reputable agency?

Surety bonds are meant to protect the consumer in case the local tree company doesn’t deliver on the agreed work. A professional carrying a bond from an agency like the Small Business Association or the Surety & Fidelity Association of America won’t be able to take your money and run.

3. Is this tree service professional fully insured for my protection?

Unfortunately, there have been countless cases of unsuspecting homeowners footing the bill after an uninsured contractor damaged their property or got hurt on the job. Hiring an uninsured professional means that you become liable for their injury and for any and all property they may damage. That means that if this contractor drops a limb on your neighbor’s house, you get to pay the repair bill – turning a simple maintenance job into an expensive mess.

The choice is truly yours to make. You can put your faith in a freelancer, or hire a fully licensed, bonded and insured tree service professional and keep your feet out of hot water!

Midwest Winter Storm Aftermath: Checking for Winter Tree Damage

From January 31 to February 2, the Midwest United States experienced an eye-opening winter storm: almost four billion dollars worth of damage followed relentless snow, ice, and wind that wreaked havoc all the way from northern Mexico to eastern Canada. Although many are still shoveling snow and digging out cars, those who have the chance should get outside and assess any trees and shrubs on the property for damage from this widespread catastrophe. Just because the storm is over doesn’t mean that homeowners are in the clear: many trees are still weakened from heavy snow and ice, proving a notable danger to nearby people and property. 

Cracks and Splits

Many cracks and splits in the tree will heal naturally over time. However, cracks in stressed areas can end in broken branches when the limbs snap back after the snow melts. Take note and keep an eye on these compromised structures. Additional damage could be sustained by further snow or ice storms – even if they don’t approach the level of the 2011 blizzard. Do not attempt to remove snow with a broom as many sources suggest – let a professional tree service or arborist make the call and, if needed, install supports.A certified arborist may also make valuable suggestions on how to check for winter tree damage that may not be as easily visible.

Broken Branches

Broken limbs and branches will usually require removal. If the problem is due to a weak V connection, if the majority of the tree is broken, or if a portion of the top has fallen, the entire tree may face removal and needs to be evaluated by an arborist. If the limbs and branches have already fallen off, it is advisable to prune the remaining section before spring, flush but angled for proper moisture drainage. Hanging limbs should always be removed by a professional tree service - many quality companies offer emergency tree service for quick repair in conditions just like these. The urgency of this procedure depends on the proximity to property, power lines, and gathering spaces. Hesitation could end in expensive repairs or even a lawsuit.

The last thing anybody wants to do after a winter storm is run outside to inspect the landscaping. However, when one considers the potential cost of neglecting young and established trees in these extremely vulnerable times, the value of proper maintenance immediately becomes apparent. Remember to routinely prune and assess the structure of your trees, regardless of size or age, to ensure that storms like the 2011 blizzard cannot cause as much harm in the future.

Value of Emergency Tree Services

Although trees present many benefits to a homeowner in regards to property value, aesthetic tastes, and environmental health, there are still many ways that an improperly cared for investment can turn into an expensive headache. Keeping the number of a professional emergency tree service may save you time, money, and structural damage with nothing more than a simple phone call. The DIY types, like myself, often cringe at the thought of hiring a helping hand – but regardless, adding another entry into your address book is a small step compared to the inconvenience of lawsuits that can ensue from improperly cared for trees.

When the Going Gets Rough

Tree collapse and storm damage can take a devastating toll on property, creating a time consuming and costly hassle. While proper pruning and routine maintenance can generally prevent these issues, there are situations like hurricanes, tornadoes, and undetected disease that can wreak havoc with little to no prior notice. Removing and disposing trees is no small task – especially if there are power lines or damaged pipes to worry about. Homeowners need to have a backup plan at all times, one that includes everything from emergency utility shutoff to transportation to manual labor. This can become overwhelming for the most experienced property owners.

Choosing a Service

Instead of spending money and time on equipment and dangerous work, smart homeowners typically have the number of a trusted local tree care professional. Going local ensures that the professionals will have the specialized knowledge of local tree varieties, which is a must for those accident-prone ornamentals. Emergency specialists already have the high-tech equipment necessary for a quick and safe removal, saving you the huge expenses of investing in tools you may only need once in your life. Be sure to pick a  tree care service that offers environmentally responsible cleanup – that way you can feel good about keeping your property safe.

Preventing Winter Tree Damage

Winter tree damage can come in many forms: from minor headaches to expensive disasters. Many people keep a close eye on their gardens, but many homeowners falsely believe that trees can hold their own during the harsh cold season. Even if you have already prepared your trees extensively for winter it’s difficult to predict how each year’s changing weather is going to effect your investments and property. The hardiest and most established of trees still face significant damage if the homeowner doesn’t keep a keen eye.

Inspection- Better Late than Never

It may seem like mid-December is a bad time to be thinking about potential winter tree damage, but the standard rule still applies: bad luck is impossible to prepare for. Take a special look at aged, leaning, or previously damaged trees as they are the most susceptible to the forces of wintery nature. Exposed and isolated trees in residential landscapes are often the biggest risk, so keep note of damages sustained over previous years. 

Common Threats

Ice Damage: Frozen water can affect trees in many different ways. Cracks can become filled with moisture and then burst open to create a huge crack. Weight is also another issue for many trees, whether it is due to an accumulation of snow or ice. Be aware of how low the branches are hanging over power lines, because branches are surprisingly flexible and can cause expensive damages that may result in lawsuits against the property owner. Make sure that a tree service professional is contacted for emergency winter trimming if there is any possibility that power lines may be affected. 

Winter Moths: For the past ten years, homeowners on the south coast have experienced a rather startling increase in invasive tan moths which swarm windows and headlights during the early December months. These pests land on trees and deposit eggs- their offspring are responsible for defoliating and ultimately killing hundreds of thousands of acres of trees each year. The larvae feed on the tender buds of springtime trees. Late winter is a great time to begin spraying trees for this pest, although winter birds like cardinals are thought to enjoy the otherwise unwelcome guest.

When Not to Cut Trees Yourself

Sad as it may be to have to cut down a tree, if you are a property owner with trees on your land, sooner or later the time will come when you will probably need to cut one down. If your tree is sick or dead, or growing in a way that endangers you or your neighbors, you'll have to take care of the situation. Unfortunately, tree cutting can be a very dangerous activity to engage in if you do not know how to do it correctly.

There are myriad times when, no matter what, you simply should not cut down a tree yourself. If this is the case, you'll need to pay a professional tree service to remove the tree. This is often the case in urban areas where cutting a tree down in a specific place is simply too dangerous for an untrained person to do it with a simple chainsaw. Here are some other examples below.

Trees and Power Lines
To begin, never cut down a tree that is next to a power line. If a tree falls on the electric power lines there is a very real danger of fire and electrocution. There is also a very good possibility that you will have to pay for any damage you to do the power line! And, not to mention it, I guarantee you that your neighbors will not be very happy with if you cause a power outage :)

Instead, call the electric company responsible for the power line and ask them what to do. There is a good chance the utility company can come to your residence and cut the trees for you. If not, they can give you a list of commercial tree professionals who can safely work around the power lines.

Trees and Houses
Another time not to cut down a tree is when you have a large tree very close to your home (or your neighbors’ home). If the tree falls on a house it could do tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. If the tree falls on your neighbor’s property you will be responsible for any damage that the tree does. I recommend if this is the case that you call a tree service professional to cut down large trees if there is a possibility tree will fall on your home or business or a neighbor’s home or business.

Trees and Roads
Finally never cut down a tree yourself if there is a possibility that it could fall on a public road or street, a public highway or railroad tracks. You don’t want to do this because if the tree falls on a vehicle or causes an accident you will be responsible for any damage it causes.

Instead of causing thousands of dollars worth of damage, if your tree is in any of the above categories, call a professional tree service and don't try to remove the tree on your own. There should be professional tree services in your area that can remove trees without causing damage.