When a tree suddenly dies in your yard, it’s an unsettling feeling. However, you can study the early warning signs of this phenomenon and take steps to try to prevent it from happening to your other trees in the future. Although some health problems inevitably lead to tree removal, others might be treatable with the help of an arborist.
Learn what causes trees to die and how to spot the early signs of these issues, making treatment a potential option.
Too Much or Too Little Water Can Be Fatal for a Tree
Water stress is a common reason that trees die unexpectedly. Most people think of water stress as involving too little moisture, but it can occur from excess water, too. Early signs of moisture problems for the tree often show up as wilting or yellowing of the leaves.
Overwatering May Lead to Root Rot
Root damage from rot is possible when the tree receives too much water. Soil that is constantly damp from overwatering or because the tree sits in a low spot can affect root health.
The roots become more susceptible to disease, which limits their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Even though the soil has constant dampness, the tree might die from a lack of water reaching the leaves.
Drought Conditions Place Stress on the Tree
When trying to understand what causes a tree to die, environmental stress brought on by drought conditions is a possible culprit. Both young and mature trees need a lot of water to survive. When rain is scarce and temperatures are high, trees need more water than usual.
If you notice early warning signs like the wilting of leaves, ask an arborist to test the moisture in the soil.
Unhealthy or Compacted Soil Is Dangerous for Trees
Soil conditions play a key role in the health of a tree. When these conditions are inadequate to support the tree, it may show signs of stress like early leaf drop and loss of upper branches in the canopy.
Nutrient Deficiencies Lead to Tree Health Issues
Trees need minerals and nutrients from the soil to thrive. A sudden reduction in the nutrients available in the soil can reduce the chances of the tree surviving. Arborists may conduct soil testing to determine whether they need to add nutrients through fertilizer applications.
Compacted Soil Affects Root Growth
Soil compaction can be what causes a tree to die. It limits the ability of the tree’s roots to spread while also preventing the soil from absorbing enough moisture. Regular foot traffic near trees or using the area near the tree as a pathway for motorized lawn care equipment can lead to soil compaction.
Herbicide Applications Could Affect the Soil Near the Tree
If you’ve been spraying areas near the tree with herbicides to try to kill weeds and volunteer trees, some of the poisonous substances may affect the tree. With enough herbicide in the soil, the tree’s roots may absorb the toxic chemicals and die.
Physical Damage Can Kill a Tree
If you have a dead tree after a catastrophic event, determining what killed it might be easy to do. For example, a lightning strike might have split a tree in two. However, other types of physical damage may be more subtle.
Accidents Can Damage Trunks and Roots
If the tree suffers physical damage from an accident, it could die. A motor vehicle striking the tree can crack the trunk internally or lead to a severe lean over time. Lawn care professionals might severely damage the roots with a stray lawn mower blade or by digging too close to them.
An arborist may recommend removing the tree after it suffers damage in an accident. If the damage is minor, though, treatments might be available to save it.
Storms Could Cause Several Types of Damage
When wondering what causes a tree to die suddenly, storms are often to blame. Wind, rain, sleet, and lightning could all severely damage a tree or kill it. Some storm damage will cause the tree to fall, but other kinds of damage might slowly kill the tree if given enough time.
If the tree only has a slight split in the trunk after a major storm, arborists might be able to deploy techniques to save it.
Extremely Cold Weather Can Damage Bark
If your area experiences a bout of unusually frigid weather, some trees may suffer bark damage. If the bark shows black spots or peels away from the tree after the cold snap, the tree could die.
Boring Insects May Affect the Tree’s Health
A pest infestation can cause a tree to die suddenly, or it can lead to a slow deterioration of the tree’s health. If you see insects actively crawling on the tree or if woodpeckers and other animals are frequently on the tree to hunt them, the tree’s health is in significant danger.
Disease Can Prevent the Leaves From Performing Photosynthesis
A fungal infection can lead to a tree dying, although it might take several weeks. Some diseases and fungal infections can block the pathways trees use to move water and nutrients to the leaves in the upper sections of the tree. You might notice leaf and branch dieback in the canopy. Some diseases affect root health or cause the bark to peel.
Call The Experts at Tree Care Inc. for Treatments To Try To Save Your Tree
By inspecting your trees regularly and understanding what causes a tree to die, you’ll have a better chance of spotting the early signs of trouble. If you have concerns but are unsure whether your tree is dead or dormant, the professionals at Tree Care Inc. can help. We have been serving our customers since 1993. You can count on our team to avoid tree removal whenever possible, as we focus on trying to preserve the tree. To learn more about any of our tree care services, request a cost estimate online or call our Louisville, KY, office at (502) 326-3661.
