Healthy trees provide many benefits to communities by cooling streets and providing shade, habitat for wildlife, and safety and well-being for families. Unhealthy trees, on the other hand, pose risks and should be inspected. Signs of an unhealthy tree include the presence of mushrooms, dead or dying limbs, cracks in the bark, weak branch unions, and decay. Anyone noticing these signs in a tree should immediately consult an arborist to assess the tree's condition and address any health issues or risks.
Thessaly master plan- WWF presentation_18.04.24.pdf
Tree health
1. Tree Health
Trees can live for a long period of time. Some reaching several thousands of years depending on
the type, safety and security, preservation as well as human management. Unfortunately, some
eventually dies, either from natural causes or human killings. These trees require attention and
care to remain healthy and long-lived. So why is it important to maintain a healthy tree in your
community?
Healthy tree
A healthy tree in your backyard naturally create a harmonious, peaceful and aesthetically
pleasing environment. It balances ecological and environmental value. Besides the fact that
trees cool and provide shade to the streets, parks and cities, they also provide canopy and
habitat for wildlife. Rest assured that healthy trees provide safety and wellness to your family
and entire community. Damage and destruction of property will surely be avoided. Healthy
trees are undeniably the most important contributor in achieving high quality of life by bringing
natural element and wildlife habitats into urban settings.
Now, try to inhale the fresh air and embrace the cool breeze coming from your healthy trees.
Ask yourself these questions.
1. Isn’t it spiritually and emotionally calming?
2. Would you rather be devastated by having unhealthy tree than to experience these
advantages of a healthy tree?
We hope you find the best answer for the above questions. Assess and monitor your trees
today to know if there is any symptom arising from a tree health issue before any harm and
2. danger arise. Contact a professional arborist to help you inspect your trees and assess their
condition.
Unhealthy tree
The major reason why should know how to distinguish an unhealthy tree is to minimize and
totally eliminate the significant risk that it possesses. The detection of ill health depends on the
initial recognition of symptoms. Some of those symptoms can be easily identified and some are
not. To enlighten you with ill health in trees, we provide you the following signs to look for in
determining unhealthy tree.
Signs of an unhealthy tree
1. Presence of mushroom at the base or on the tree
“All mushrooms are fungi but not all fungi are mushrooms.” The presence of mushroom may
indicate a positive sign that a tree may already be dying or dead inside. Many mushroom-
producing species are important decomposers particularly of wood. This means that existence
of mushrooms requires decaying material to grow and thrive. If you notice sudden growth of
mushrooms around your tree, call a certified arborist to inspect and check the potential risk
that it may poses.
1. Dead wood or dying limbs
Dead branches and trunks are the most visible signs of an unhealthy tree. They are dry,
extremely brittle, and lifeless. They are hazardous and very unpredictable. Dead wood and
dying limbs can break and fall at any time that may cause for destruction of property and harm
in your family. These signs are very dangerous that requires immediate attention.
1. Cracks
Existence of cracks can be a sign of an unhealthy tree. It is a deep split through the bark
extending into the wood of the tree. Cracks and splits may occur due to temperature of the
location of the trees. When it is cold, frost cracks usually arise. The progress of cracks usually
indicates extreme danger of a tree. It has the chance to develop circumferential separation of
wood internally that can lead into an entire failure.
1. Weak branch unions
Branch unions is considered weak when an area of branches is not securely attached to the
tree. It occurs when the bark isn’t as strong as the wood. It also occurs when two or more
similarly sized, usually upright branches grow within close proximity, that bark grow within the
branches.
3. 1. Decay
This sign is one of the hardest to distinguish. The formation of cavity and decay develops from
the inside out. It can affect the roots, sapwood, or heartwood of a tree. You might want to
consider looking around the base of the tree and branches if there are mushrooms, soft
crumbly woods, peeling barks, hollow and rotten areas.
Act immediately!
If you notice any of these signs, consult a certified arborist today! Working with a professional
tree care company ensures the best approach and high quality service for any tree health issue.
Keep in mind that “Prevention is always better than cure”