Problems Your Tree's Growth Pattern or Shape Could Indicate
Your tree's growth habits should conform fairly closely to the typical shape and size for that variety of tree. While this shape and size can vary between species — for instance, small shrubby trees may be more likely to grow with multiple stems — any major and obvious deviation may herald a problem.
If you notice a change in the pattern or shape of your tree's growth over time, that could indicate problems as well. Here are some types of potentially abnormal growth and what they could mean for your tree.
1. The Tree Is Stressed
If your tree is growing a lot of sprouts from the base of the tree, or it’s has fast-growing, vertical, straight sprouts from its branches or trunk, you have a sucker problem. Sometimes called water sprouts when they appear on the trunk or branches, suckers are a type of growth that trees form when stressed or damaged.
Some types of stress that could lead to this growth pattern include:
- Water stress (the tree has too much or too little water)
- Physical damage stress, such as bark damage from a lawnmower
- Stress from pests eating too many of the tree's leaves or from disease damage
- Stress from being pruned back too severely
If you're unsure of the cause, a tree expert can help you identify possible sources of the tree's stress along with solutions. And don't forget to have your tree-trimming expert remove all water sprouts and suckers. Because of the angle at which they grow and the type of rapidly formed wood they consist of, these sprouts aren't considered structurally sound tree components.
2. The Tree Needs More Light
While some trees thrive as understory plants in shady sites, other trees require full sun to thrive. A tree that needs full sun may create long, thin branches reaching towards the light if placed in shade. These thinner branches are likely not as strong as they should be. The tree may also flower less and lose some leaves.
In this scenario, you may need to prune back some of the surrounding trees or even remove one that's blocking the light if you want your spindly tree to thrive.
3. The Tree Has a Disease
If your tree exhibits a really strange growth pattern in one area, it may have a disease. Odd clumpy growths sprouting from a branch or leaf may be due to a gall, which is often caused by a fungal or other disease.
If the tree has a lot of twigs sticking out from one spot at every angle in an oddly dense clump, the tree may have a condition called witches' broom. A disease or pest typically triggers this condition.
However, witches' broom can look similar to mistletoe growth (mistletoe is a parasitic plant). To complicate things further, mistletoe growth can also trigger witches' broom. So be sure to check with a tree expert to ensure you know what you're dealing with. Treatment will likely include trimming off affected parts of the tree.
4. The Tree Is Planted Too Deep
If your tree's trunk appears to grow straight out of the ground like a fence post, rather than flaring at the bottom in a classic tree trunk shape, you could have a problem. The flared-out bit is called a root flare, which often is simply buried underground when a sapling is planted.
If the root flare is buried, it won't grow back above ground; it will simply suffer. A tree may live for a long time battling the results of root flare burial and failing to thrive, or it may succumb more quickly to rot. Some tree varieties may have a more easily identifiable root flare than others; if you're unsure whether your tree is planted too deep, ask your local tree expert.
These are just some of the growth habit clues that could alert you to a problem with your tree. In many cases, such as with a diseased tree or one that has too many suckers, tree trimming can be the solution. Get in touch with Baumann Tree
today to learn more about how we can help.
A tree does not have to be falling over to become a concern. Sometimes the first warning is a branch scraping the roof. Other times, it is a canopy that has grown so thick it overwhelms the yard, a limb hanging above the driveway, or a tree that simply does not look as healthy as it did a few years ago. Knowing when a tree needs attention can help St. Louis property owners address problems before they become much harder to manage. Baumann Tree provides tree service, tree removal, and tree trimming in St. Louis, MO for homeowners and property owners who want to take care of troublesome trees safely and effectively. For professional tree care, call 636-375-2812. When Your Trees Start Competing With Your Property Trees and homes share the same space, and eventually that can create conflicts. A tree that was small when a home was built may now stretch across the roof, crowd a fence, block a driveway, or extend branches toward neighboring property. Mature trees can be one of the best features of a St. Louis yard, but they also require more attention as they grow. Professional tree service in St. Louis, MO can help you determine what needs to be trimmed, what should be monitored, and when removal may be the better long-term solution. Instead of treating every tree the same way, Baumann Tree can evaluate the situation and recommend an appropriate approach for the property. A Tree Doesn't Have to Be Dead to Need Removal Many people associate tree removal with completely dead trees, but there are other reasons a tree may need to come down. Its location may have become problematic, the trunk may have developed structural weakness, storm damage may have compromised major limbs, or the tree may be declining to the point that keeping it creates an unnecessary risk. With tree removal in St. Louis, MO , the surroundings matter just as much as the tree itself. Homes, garages, fences, landscaping, sidewalks, and neighboring properties can all affect how a tree should be removed. Baumann Tree can assess the tree and surrounding area before determining how to approach the job. Warning signs worth paying attention to include a new or increasing lean, large dead sections in the canopy, cracks in major limbs or the trunk, decay, broken branches that remain lodged in the tree, or noticeable changes following severe weather. If a tree on your property has you wondering whether it is still safe to keep, call 636-375-2812 and have Baumann Tree take a closer look. Tree Trimming Is About More Than Making a Tree Look Neat Trimming can dramatically change the appearance of a property, but good tree trimming should accomplish more than creating a tidy canopy. Strategic trimming can remove problematic branches, create clearance around structures, address damaged growth, and help prevent certain limbs from becoming larger concerns later. For example, you may need tree trimming in St. Louis, MO if branches are beginning to hang over your roof, interfere with a driveway or walkway, rub against one another, block visibility, or create too much weight in a particular part of the canopy. The goal is not simply to cut branches back. Trees respond to pruning, which is why knowing which branches to remove—and which ones to leave—is important. Professional trimming helps address the immediate issue while taking the overall tree into consideration. Take Another Look After a St. Louis Storm Take Another Look After a St. Louis Storm Strong winds and thunderstorms can reveal weaknesses that were easy to miss beforehand. After severe weather, take a look at the trees around your home from a safe distance. A branch may be partially broken without falling, the canopy may look noticeably different, or a tree may appear to be leaning more than it did before the storm. Damage high in the canopy can also be difficult to judge from the ground. If something looks different, having it evaluated can be a much better option than waiting to see what happens during the next round of bad weather. Give Your Trees the Attention They Need Call a certified arborist promptly if you notice sudden canopy dieback from the top down, D-shaped holes in ash bark, wilting spreading across connected trees, dark streaking under oak bark, or shepherd's crook tips on ornamental pears or crabapples. Even when symptoms seem minor, a professional inspection is worthwhile. Most tree pests target stressed trees first, making consistent care essential to prevention. Protect Your St. Louis Trees With the Right Help Sometimes a tree needs a few carefully selected branches removed. Sometimes it has reached the point where removal makes more sense. And sometimes you simply need an experienced tree professional to help you figure out which option is right. For tree service, tree removal, and tree trimming in St. Louis, MO, contact Baumann Tree. The team can help you address overgrown, damaged, declining, or inconveniently located trees and keep your property looking its best. Call Baumann Tree at 636-375-2812 today to schedule tree service in St. Louis, MO.
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