It’s an exciting time here in East Tennessee as trees bud and bloom, filling in with gorgeous foliage. Well, all except for the sneezing and itchy, watery eyes those of us with allergies experience! It will be worth it as we get to enjoy several months of beautiful mountain scenery around us. While most trees will fill in with foliage this time of year, some don’t. And in some cases, you may notice trees have empty spots with no leaves. Why is that? Today on the blog, Kingsport arborists at Promier Tree share reasons why trees have empty spots with no leaves and what can be done about it.
Empty spots or areas where leaves don’t bud could be a result of insect infestation, disease, soil problems, or unexpected weather changes (which happens a lot here in Tennessee during the spring). So, as you can see, many factors contribute to a leaf-less tree or thin canopy. But here are some common reasons why your tree’s canopy may be thin.
Borer Insects
Borer insects such as beetles and caterpillars gnaw their way through tree bark, leaving tiny holes along the tree’s trunk. This is a natural process and necessary for these insects to live. However, if uncontrolled, their gnawing weakens the tree and could cause empty spots in the canopy.
Weather-Related Stress
As spring ushers its way into our area, we tend to experience dramatic temperature fluctuations. Earlier in March, we experienced mild daytime temperatures while still having bouts of freezing temperatures at night. These dramatic changes from cold to warm can shock trees, resulting in sparse leaves or empty spots. However, there isn’t anything you can do to control the weather.
Compacted Soil
It’s a good idea not to place structures or heavy equipment directly next to a tree. Also, avoid heavy foot traffic around trees as well. These things could cause soil compaction, which robs the tree of nutrients and stunts tree growth.
What can be done about a thin tree canopy?
The first line of defense in treating a thin tree canopy is to discover the precise cause. The best way to achieve this is to hire a professional arborist in Kingsport to conduct a tree health evaluation. A healthy tree is less likely to develop bare spots in its canopy. Therefore, we recommend having your trees assessed and trimmed annually. Removing dead or diseased branches helps reduce a thinning canopy. Plus, it is ideal to add mulch around the base of your trees by adding at least 2-4″ of mulch, taking care not to apply mulch directly around the trunk of the tree.
If your tree is suffering from a pest infestation or disease, it can be difficult to treat on your own. It’s best to call a Kingsport arborist to diagnose and treat the problem for you. Doing so could save your beautiful tree and prevent damage to your home or property, plus keep the pests or disease from spreading to other trees.
Professional Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol
Trees add aesthetic beauty to any property, as long as they are well cared for and healthy. Maintain your trees properly by calling Promier Tree at (423) 765-2626. We offer complimentary consultations for your tree care needs!