Understanding how to save a stressed tree is the best way to turn around symptoms that range from stunted growth to yellow leaves.
As Massillon’s trusted tree service, Petrarca Landcare Inc. explains more on the topic below.
How To Combat The Signs of Stress in Healthy Trees
Not checking for pests, pruning the branches, or feeding the tree can leave it stressed. However, tree service professionals see many other mistakes by well-intentioned property owners trying to save their trees.
You can avoid distressing your tree further with the following expert tips:
- Use proper planting techniques: Planting a tree in the wrong place or soil will stress it out. However, it’s also possible to harm the tree if the hole is too small or shallow or if you are not careful with the roots. Lesson one in saving a stressed tree is to plant it carefully. Learn more about how to properly prepare soil for tree planting for better results.
- Mulch carefully: Can you place a layer of mulch as deep or often as you like? Not exactly. Mulch protects the tree against the heat, but a depth of more than 2 inches above the roots can smother them.
- Water properly: Drought-stressed trees are one side of the coin; overwatering is the other. If the tree’s roots never dry out, they rot or weaken. So, it is essential to understand how much water your tree needs but not to overdo it.
- Protect the trunk: Have you accidentally nicked the bark of the trunk while trimming the grass or compacted the soil through mowing? Rather place a mulch layer that extends beyond the canopy than risk growing grass around a stressed tree.
- Prune correctly: Trimming the wrong branches, using incorrect techniques, or pruning at the wrong time of year are all tree killers.
- Be wary of construction: Renovations are stressful for trees, especially where heavy equipment damages the roots, branches, or trunk or compacts the soil.
- Avoid weed killer: Another great tip on saving a stressed tree is to not use weed killers. They may not kill a tree, but they will likely make it ill.
Why Act Fast At The First Signs of Stress in Your Trees?
Before you learn how to save a stressed tree, it’s best to adopt a defensive posture. Try to provide your tree with everything it needs for healthy growth. If you are unsure of what this is, consider hiring a professional.
We recommend finding an affordable annual tree inspection service to keep your trees in optimal health. Why? The early symptoms of stress in trees are easy to miss.
By the time the signs are easy to spot, the tree may have too much damage. If you want to avoid a race to save the tree, expert maintenance is an excellent idea. There are no quick fixes for trees, so catching issues early is the only viable approach.
Saving Stressed Trees for Beginners
Is there a tree on your property showing signs of stress? Our best advice is to seek expert advice. With a thorough understanding of trees, professionals can create a workable plan to nurse your tree back to health.
For example, our team sends out an expert to check the tree for signs of infection, malnutrition, and damage. We also test the soil and advise you whether to change your tree’s watering and feeding.
Contact Your Top Local Team
Do trees need fertilizer if they are showing signs of stress? If your tree isn’t the picture of health, it is best to ask the experts before trying more fertilizer, mulch, or other strategies that might make things worse.
Call Petrarca Landcare at (330) 933-0562 today for information on how to save a stressed tree or anything else you need to know.