The far-stretching part of your tree that provides shade is called the tree’s canopy. Sometimes, a tree’s canopy can be plagued with dead patches. While the areas are unsightly and often cause alarm in our loyal customers, it’s best to first find out the underlying cause for these patches. Let’s look today with our ISA-certified arborists in Johnson City at five of the most common causes for dead patches in your tree’s canopy.
Pests and disease
If a tree is diseased or is infested with pests, it can cause dead patches in the tree’s canopy. Fungal infections, such as anthracnose or canker diseases, can attack a tree’s foliage and branches, which leads to dieback. Similarly, pests like borers, aphids or caterpillars can cause significant damage to a tree’s canopy.
Solution: Regular inspections and assessments of your trees by our tree specialists in Kingsport can help with early detection of diseases and pest infestations. Timely treatment with appropriate fungicides or insecticides is the best bet to stop the spread of damage. Be sure you’re properly mulching, watering, fertilizing and pruning your trees to maintain optimal tree health and reduce the risk of infections and infestations.
Improper pruning
Improper pruning practices like topping and excessive trimming can significantly harm a tree. Removing too much foliage can stress the tree, and improper cuts can lead to infection and decay.
Solution: Your best bet is to leave your trees’ pruning to a certified arborist like ours in Kingsport. Pruning is a skill with a purpose. It ensures the removal of dead or diseased branches, shapes a tree for better airflow circulation and ensures cuts are made at correct locations to properly shape the tree and promote healing.
Nutrient deficiencies
Healthy soil makes healthy trees. If your soil is deficient in certain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, it can translate into dead patches in your tree’s canopy and overall poor, struggling tree health.
Solution: Our tree specialists in Bristol can test your soil to determine any nutrient deficiencies. Based on those results, we can start a targeted fertilization program to meet your soil and tree’s specific needs. Consider adding compost and mulch around the base of your tree. Compost is full of nutrients, and as mulch breaks down over time, it serves as an organic compost.
Environmental stressors
Environmental factors such as drought, extreme temperatures and even pollution can weaken a tree and cause part of its canopy to die. Any time trees are under stress, they are more susceptible to diseases and pests, which just compounds the problem.
Solution: Make sure your trees are receiving adequate water, especially if the Tri-cities area is experiencing a drought. Add 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of your tree but not against the trunk, which could promote disease. Mulching as far out as the drip line of a tree will help your soil retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. It also prevents weeds from growing.
Natural decline due to age
Like all living organisms, trees have a lifespan, and as they age, they will experience decline.
Solution: While aging is a natural process, proper care can extend the life of your tree. Regular health assessments and maintenance by our Johnson City ISA-certified arborists can help manage aging trees and ensure they remain sturdy and beautiful for as many years as possible.
Protect your tree’s health in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Dead patches in a tree almost always mean a problem exists. The question is what is causing it. Understanding the underlying problem can help you decide on a treatment program and learn how to prevent the problems in the future. Regular inspections and maintenance by Promier Tree’s ISA-certified arborists in the Tri-cities area will help ensure the health and longevity of your trees. If you’re concerned about your trees’ health, contact us at (423) 872-2988, or send us a message online today.