It's important to evaluate your landscape tree's health periodically. This way you catch issues early when an arborist can still help you fix them.
1. Trunk Health
There are three concerns when checking the trunk's health — bark loss, insect damage, and fungal growth. Bark that is falling off or has been torn off can affect the tree's health. Insect damage, such as small boreholes in the trunk, is another concerning factor. Fungal growth, particularly mushrooms sprouting from the trunk, can indicate interior rot. If any of these are issues, help from an arborist is needed to see if the tree can be saved.
2. Branch Form
How the branches grow is another important health indicator. Some dead branches are normal, although they should be removed. The living branches should create a balanced canopy that is the same size on all sides. There shouldn't be any crossed or rubbing branches, and most of the branches should grow out at an angle to the trunk. Weak branch form makes wind damage more likely, so pruning may be necessary.
3. Leaf Appearance
How healthy do the leaves look? They should be an even green in the correct shade for the tree species. Holes, discolored spots, and curling edges can indicate health issues such as fungal or bacterial infections, drought stress, or insect issues. Premature leaf drop or leaves that turn brown and dry out of season are also red flags that indicate that it is time to have an arborist assess your tree.
4. Surface Roots
You can't really inspect the deep roots of your tree, but you can get an idea of their health. Surface roots should appear healthy, not soft or damaged. These roots shouldn't wrap around the base of the trunk but instead radiate away from the base of the tree. The trunk itself should flare out slightly at the bottom to meet the surface roots so that the base is slightly wider than the rest of the trunk. Further, there should be no mushrooms growing up from the root zone of the tree.
5. Soil Quality
Good soil is what leads to healthy tree growth, so it is a good idea to assess the quality. It should be rich in organic material and drain properly. Heavy clay soil or nutrient-deficient sandy soil can stress a tree. Fertilization may be necessary to maintain a healthy nutrient profile. Mulching can help improve soil quality and retain soil moisture. An arborist can test the soil and make amendment recommendations.
Contact a certified arborist for hire in your area to have your tree's health professionally evaluated.