Frank’s Arborcare LLC, a premier tree removal service, decided to answer, “What causes a tree to die?” because so many people ask us about it. The following explains what causes a tree to die. It also covers what enhances tree health.
Common Tree Death Causes
While reading this list, you might notice how trees react like humans when neglected, injured, or sick. Arborists understand this because we spend so much time rejuvenating and maintaining trees, and we encourage our clients to think of trees the same.
This shift in mindset inspires you to pay more attention to your trees. It makes our job easier because it motivates people to seek our tree services faster before health problems become incurable. Our work prevents the panic that infuses the question, “What causes trees to die?”
Mounds of Mulch
Mulch is a wonderful resource, but its benefits depend on proper placement. Avoid placing it in piles or it will make the tree retain moisture, which makes it rot. Excess mulch can also cause roots to wrap around the trunk and strangle the tree.
Dying of Thirst and Over-Watering
If you neglect to water your trees or don’t know the watering schedule for the species, it might need “to drink” more.
The opposite can also happen, meaning you might be over-watering.
A tree service can implement a proper watering schedule.
Unmanageable Environmental Stress
Another element of what causes a tree to die is environmental stress. A drought-prone area, or an area that gets too cold for a particular species, makes the tree struggle against elements it’s not bred to handle.
Consult an arborist when planting trees to avoid making a tree suffer environmental stress.
Other examples of environmental stress include fire, lightning, and wind.
Pesky Pest Infestations
Pests like wood borers and termites can invade trees. They spread diseases that cause root damage and they ravage leaves and bark. They can also spread their diseases to nearby trees.
Insects prefer weak trees because a weak tree offers no resistance. It just gets weaker. This is another good reason to receive regular care from an arborist.
A Word About Tree Age and Decline
As a tree ages, it loses its ability to fulfill processes that sustain it, such as photosynthesis.
Therefore, the tree’s energy lags because it’s not fully taking part in vital functions. Once this happens, the tree’s health slowly declines. However, it can live a long time in this second-rate state, with a diminished crown volume and other signs of decline.
Some people think they should get rid of trees like this. However, this tree is not dead. If you chop it down, that would be a valuable waste of an important resource.
It needs a professional intervention to nourish it back to health.
Contact Frank’s Arborcare LLC for Tree Health Explanations and Services
Frank’s Arborcare LLC provides five-star tree services and answers questions like, “What causes a tree to die?” We understand what causes large holes in tree trunks, where to plant trees, how to trim and prune, and more.
Contact us at 203-423-9523 to make an appointment soon.
