Trees make our homes look more beautiful and livelier. They provide us with shade and fruits, among other benefits. For these reasons, you would wish the trees on your property to stand forever.
Sadly, that can’t happen. While some trees can live for more than 4,000 years, they’ll die eventually. But why do trees die?
In this blog post, a trusted provider of professional tree service in Lakewood, Ohio, explores the top four causes of tree death.
Diseases and Harmful Insects
Various diseases can cause tree death. Virulent diseases, like the chestnut and Dutch elm disease, have decimated entire forests in North America.
Non-virulent diseases, like oak wilt, anthracnose, and Armillaria root rot, are even deadlier. They’ve killed more trees, costing tree owners billions of dollars. These pathogens often enter your tree through the roots, bark wounds, and leaves, damaging the tree’s vascular system if you don’t treat them early enough.
Harmful insects can also kill your trees either directly or by spreading disease fungi from a host tree to nearby trees. Some of the insects you’ll often have to deal with are pine beetles, emerald ash borers, and the gypsy moth.
Harsh Environmental Conditions
The area and ground where your tree grows can significantly impact its health. If you plant a drought-sensitive tree on dry ground during drought conditions, the chances are that it’ll die from lack of water.
Such a tree will also be vulnerable to other life-threatening factors like injury or disease. Some of the environmental conditions that can lead to the death of your trees include:
- Salty soil
- Poorly draining soil
- Soil and air pollution
- Droughty soil
- Extreme sun
Before you plant a tree, it’s important to understand its genetic tolerance to various environmental conditions. This will help you minimize tree death from unfavorable conditions.
Old Age
Many of us think about old age when asked the question: why do trees die?
Some trees can withstand all the beating from nature and live through maturity to old age. Death for such trees is a long, gradual process that can take centuries.
As a tree matures, its ability to support itself diminishes, and it experiences significant loss of foliage, which is essential for food and hydration. This tree will develop epicormic sprouts, which are immature branches that help in preserving the old tree’s vigor.
Unfortunately, these branches aren’t strong enough to support life for a prolonged period. Your old tree will collapse slowly under its weight and crumble to provide nutrients to newly planted trees.
Natural Calamities
Forest fires, storms, tornado-strength winds, and other extreme weather conditions can also cause tree death. If floods don’t recede quickly, they may deprive your tree roots of oxygen, eventually killing the tree.
Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance
Why do trees die? If you need further help with this question, talk to the experts at Petrarca Landcare, Inc. We provide a wide range of services, including:
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Tree removal
- 24-hour emergency tree services
Contact us at (330) 933-0562 for a free estimate or to learn how to save a tree with damaged bark in Lakewood, Ohio, today!