Did you know an oak tree can live for a thousand years? That trees can ‘talk’ through releasing chemicals? And that across the planet, you’ll find more than three trillion of these mighty giants?
If you’ve ever stared in awe at the height of a tree, marvelled at the sight of a rustling, lush green canopy, or found yourself counting the rings on a fallen log, then chances are, you’re a nature lover who wants to care for the trees growing in their own backyard. And that’s where we can help.
In this blog post, our arborealists focus on keeping your trees healthy through spotting problem signs, including:
- Poor or stunted growth
- Indications of disease and parasites
- Areas that have died off
- Broken branches and damage
- Growth near utility lines
By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to look after your trees and keep them thriving throughout the year. You can also find out more about our team of tree surgeons and aborealists based in Bromley and South East London, and ways we can help.
Poor or stunted growth
Sometimes, a lack of growing conditions (rich soil, strong sunlight, plentiful water) can cause your tree to grow stunted. If your tree hasn’t grown as you’d expected, and is small enough to relocate, it might be worth moving it. Our arborealists can share recommendations about how to do this, or carry out the work for you.
Indications of disease and parasites
Different trees have different parasites, from bugs to fungi. A few of them our tree care specialists note include:
- Beetles and weevils: If you have an infestation of these little critters, you might notice tiny holes in the foliage on your tree, or jagged edges along the leaves.
- Aphids: Puckered leaves are a tell-tale sign that you have a problem with aphids. These tiny insects feed off sap, and their saliva can interfere with the tree.
- Mites: Yellow, stippled, dry and dead leaves can be an indication of these minute creatures.
- Adelgids: If you’ve spotted clouds of cottony white masses in the branches of your tree, it might be the egg sacks of these problem bugs.
- Woodworm: The biggest sign of woodworm in your trees is tiny holes and tunnels, as well as evidence of ‘sawdust’.
- Black mould: This stick substance is actually left behind from feeding insects like aphids.
- Brown spots: These can be a show for fungal disease, and come in colours like yellow, black, orange and brown.
If you’re concerned and need a diagnosis, talk to our tree surgeons.
Areas that have died off
If parts of your tree have died off altogether, it may be from causes like disease and parasites, or even lacking water, nutrients and sunlight. In some trees, these areas can simply be chopped away. In others, it might cause further damage, so we’d advise getting in touch with our aborealists if this is the case.
Broken branches and damage
A cracked trunk, storm damage, vandalism – there are many reasons why a tree on your property might be damaged. You might even spot signs that your tree is ‘leaning’ in a specific direction, or looks unbalanced, which could be a sign it might fall. And, visible roots, especially if easily pulled away, could indicate other damage, which needs tree management. With our care and advice, you could save a damaged tree – contact our tree management experts to find out more.
Growth near utility lines
Tree management is essential over the years, especially as they can grow larger than you think – leading man-made structures to pose a problem. Overhead lines, underground pipes and drain systems and even your neighbour’s fence might affect your tree over time. In addition, some people plant trees too close to their homes, without realising how much bigger the tree will get! This can cause serious problems, even if you regularly prune your tree. In these cases, sadly, it’s often a case of removing the tree, where our tree management experts can help.
When to call in a tree surgeon
Even with your best efforts, trees can succumb to pests and disease, problems with location, damage, and other issues. While we’ll always do our best to rescue and revive your tree through tree management, sometimes, it’s kindest to have it felled. To find out more and get some advice, speak to our tree care specialists today.
FAQ
And now to answer some questions we commonly receive from customers in Bromley and beyond:
What are arborealists?
We are – that is to say, tree care specialists. We can help with all aspects of looking after your tree, from planting to moving, removing and grinding stumps.
How do I find tree care services near me?
Based in South East London and Bromley, we’re here to help with management, removal and more. To see if your area is covered, just get in touch.
What do you recommend for tree management?
The younger the tree, the more TLC it’s likely to need – especially to ensure it takes root and flourishes over time. Planting in the right place, watering regularly and taking care of pests and weeds can all be great starting points.
