Spring Tree Stress Signals

Spring is here and it’s time to take a look at your trees for signs of stress!

▪Tip dieback: are the buds, flowers, or leaves absent from the tip of the highest branches? This means the tree does not have the energy to reach the uppermost portions of the canopy so it limits the distance water and nutrients can travel.

▪Sparse or thin canopy: looking at the flowers or leaves of your mature tree, is every branch covered to its tips, or do you see empty areas? This can be a sign of a tree's lack of energy for new growth, especially if the tree is lacking a significant inner canopy.

▪Late bud break: compare the tree to the same species either in the neighborhood or the forest; if it's budding or flowering later than other trees of the same species this can be a sign of stress.

▪Size, color, density of buds and flowers: pay particular attention to the sizes of the buds -- certain species should have big honking buds, like Beeches or Red Maples! Compare the color of flowers or catkins to other trees -- are they paler? Fewer in number? Smaller? Your tree may be stressed.

Notice any of the above? We are here to answer your tree questions and concerns by phone, text, or video chat. We're at (828) 545-5503.