Even if you eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly, you can still get sick. The same thing is true for trees–even a healthy one can get sick. Why does this happen? Your Kingsport arborists explore this topic, today on the blog.
What affects tree health?
All the different factors that impact tree health can be placed in one of two categories: living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic). A combination of factors can affect the health of your trees.
Watch out for pre-existing conditions
Certain conditions can weaken the overall health of a tree, lowering its ability to defend against disease or an infestation by pests. These conditions include waterlogging, nutrient deficiencies or, most commonly, poor nursery management. This occurs when a tree confined to a pot does not develop a quality root system and, when planted, experiences substandard growth. If you work with a professional tree company to handle your planting needs, you avoid the potential perils of poor nursery management.
What other factors can affect the condition of trees?
- Stress – This is usually weather-related, either from high heat, drought conditions, frigid temperatures or a heavy frost.
- Soil quality – Certain trees need certain compositions of soil to thrive.
- Poor drainage – Drainage issues can either oversaturate your root system or mean it does not receive enough moisture.
The effect of pests
Pests have two types of impact on tree health. Primary pests directly affect trees. Secondary pests only infest trees that are previously weakened. There are other pests that just casually feed on trees and even some insects that are beneficial.
Fungi represent another threat. They form most often on decayed or dead organic matter, which is also where they feed.
What non-living factors affect trees?
Poor soil or negative growing conditions are the most common and also usually associated with observed symptoms of tree distress. You should also watch for any nutrient-related disorders, which can produce symptoms that mimic a virus, infection or infestation by pests. It can be difficult for a homeowner to make a proper diagnosis – or even a preliminary identification – of an issue that is negatively affecting the health of a tree.
Seek the help of a trained arborist
Poor soil quality or adverse growing conditions can have a long-term negative impact on the health of a tree. You can prevent additional damage by seeking the help of a trained arborist. An arborist is a certified, experienced professional who possesses knowledge working with all the types of trees that live in a given region. The staff at Promier Tree features multiple arborists, each of whom is certified by the ISA and highly trained.
Tree health evaluations in East Tennessee
Whether you see signs that your tree is having health issues or you want to ensure your trees remain viable, schedule a tree health evaluation with one of the arborists at Promier Tree today. We are proud to provide care for residential and commercial customers in Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol and the surrounding areas of Tennessee. Make an appointment with one of our experienced arborists today. Just visit us online or call (423) 765-2626.