Is your prized oak putting on a show by shedding leaves from a couple of branches ahead of time? You may be left to wonder what is making one tree in the yard appear unwell when all around it are green and healthy. Then there is the matter of whether a minor issue will have you dealing with a fallen tree come tomorrow.
Homeowners here in Lancaster, SC put such questions to us regularly. We at CBC Tree Service are on hand to assist property owners in identifying trouble of any kind before it escalates. Should you have any misgivings about a tree on your grounds, we can be reached at (803) 680-2239.
For the most part a tree will not just give way in a day. There are usually telltale signs of an insect or disease well in advance of the point where it is a danger. It is a question of being aware of them so as to put in an early word and in many cases preserve the tree.
Why Our Local Trees Are Vulnerable
There are some challenges for trees in and around Lancaster. The kind of weather we have in this region puts strain on root systems and limbs. Add to that our heavy clay soils which retain water and invite root issues.
A tree under stress makes for an easy mark; insects and diseases will go after the ones that are already compromised. So it is important to be vigilant.
What to Look for in the Way of Disease
Typically you will see the first evidence on the bark, leaves or branches. Some of the more frequent indicators are:
- Leaves with spots or of a yellow or brown hue when they should not be
- A full tree with the odd bare branch
- Cankers, sunken spots or other oddities on the bark
- Fungus or mushrooms on the roots or at the trunk
- Wood that is soft or crumbles
- An oozing of sap or something dark from the trunk
- A powdery, moldy film on the leaves
These are sure to indicate a disease has set in. The earlier you make a move, the better off the tree will be.
Insect Problems
You might not see the insects themselves since they are often at work under the bark or within the tree, but they do not hide their presence entirely. Be on the lookout for:
- Holes in the trunk or branches
- Something like sawdust at the foot of the tree
- Leaves that have been chewed or are missing
- Nests or webbing
- Tunnels under any loose bark
- Residue on the ground or leaves
- Woodpeckers, a sudden sign they are after the insects in a tree
Pests of a certain sort have a way of moving from one tree to another and if you see these things they are likely already causing damage out of sight.
Viewing the Tree as a Whole
Occasionally the warning is in the general condition of the tree. Put some distance between yourself and the tree and you may note:
- More of a lean than was there before
- The canopy is thinning at the top
- Limbs that are dead in the crown
- Branches that are hanging or break with little effort
- Sprouting at the base
When a tree is going from the top down it is usually because of what is happening in the trunk or at the roots.
The Value of Acting Early
We can treat a number of tree problems if they are nipped in the bud with some pruning or by taking out a limb. Left to its own devices a problem will only spread and become a hazard. Not to mention a storm can turn a tree riddled with disease or insects into a danger; a rotted trunk or weak limb is apt to fail in the wind and put family and neighbors in harm’s way.
An expert opinion is worth having to decide if a tree is to be saved or removed. Our team is familiar with the conditions in Lancaster and the rest of the area from Rock Hill to Camden, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Great Falls, Lesslie, Ridgeway and Kershaw.
Give Us a Call
Do not let a situation worsen once you have seen the signs. As a licensed and insured company, CBC Lawn and Tree, LLC is at your service 24/7 for land clearing and tree work throughout our territory. We provide free estimates so there is no need to delay. Dial (803) 680-2239 and we will have a look at what could otherwise be a bigger problem.