If the appearance of your yard and the health of everything that grows in it is important to you, it's crucial to be aware of the early warning signs that trees will often provide when they're sick or damaged. For instance, you may be surprised to learn that while a plethora of broken stems can be easily recognized as a possible problem, earlier indicators of an issue can manifest as numerous areas where bark should be and is not. Another detail to watch for is a tree that leans for no obvious reason in one direction, even it the issue is very subtle. That problem is often indicative of damage that occurred following years of storm or water damage. If those concerns seem entirely too familiar, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following information.

When Bark Should Be On A Tree... And Is Not

When bark should be on a tree and patches or sections of it are no longer present, it could be an underlying symptom of an issue with the health or functionality of the tree itself. The areas with missing bark will often form holes in the tree, and the lack of healthy bark means that there is a likelihood of nearby stems breaking.

When those stems break off, whether it is part of the branch or where they attach to the tree, the existing growth is obviously damaged. If the issue is not corrected, the experience will probably continue to occur and it may occur to other growth in the immediate area. Therefore, it is necessary for the problem to be addressed in a timely manner to reverse the damage.

A Tree That Slopes To The Side

If a tree that seems otherwise healthy now leans to one side, even it is not terribly obvious, this can indicate that the tree is suffering from years of inadequate or improper pruning. The same symptom could manifest as the result of many years of storms, which can allow for the tree to grow in a lopsided manner. That unusual growth pattern can also be a symptom of a damaged root plate, which could eventually allow the tree to detach from the ground and fall over.

However, it is important to note that the issue is not always a problem, since some trees with strong wood and a secure trunk can lean or grow in a lopsided manner without posing a risk to the tree or nearby items. Since determining the problem and estimating whether the sloping tree could eventually provide that kind of risk to the area requires the knowledge of an expert, you should never attempt to make that diagnosis on your own.

In conclusion, since some trees can live for hundreds of years, it's important to be aware of some subtle indicators of damage to the trees in your yard. As a result, it's time to speak with an arborist or other landscaping expert like those at Osorio Tree Service to see about diagnosing and treating the trees in question, so that you can continue to enjoy them for many years to come.