Did you know? August is Tree Check Month!

August is a great time to inspect the health of your trees. Since both evergreen and deciduous trees have their leaves in the summer, it’s easy to inspect all of your trees at once. Insect populations are usually very active in August, and may be easier to spot any problems caused by infestations. Identifying tree pests before they take over can help protect tree health and prevent future property damage.

 

Here’s how to do a visual assessment of your trees:

1. Step back from the tree and see if the entire top has leaves. Sick trees often die back at the top, called crown die-back, and is an indication of a serious problem.
2. Check leaves up-close for any odd color patterns, like red splotches, or holes in the leaf. This can be an indication of a pest or disease. If damaged leaves cover more than 25% of the tree’s leaves, it can indicate a pest infestation.
3. Check for visible holes in the bark especially on the trunk. Many insect pests leave entrance and exit holes, and you can sometimes identify the type of pest based on the shape and size of the holes.
4. Check the soil around the tree for moisture and inspect leaves for browning, drooping, yellowing or other signs of drought. If these signs are present, add 30-40 gallons of water twice per week for several weeks to support your tree.
5. Adding a ring of deep mulch, 3” thick, like a doughnut around the trunk can help retain water and use their natural defenses to fight pests. Do not pile mulch against the trunk of the tree, as this can lead to other issues.

Weakened trees are at greater risk of losing limbs or falling over during winter storms, so if you notice signs of stress or infestation on your trees, now is a great time to contact a certified arborist to help preserve the health of your tree and the safety of your property.

You can learn more about tree pests to watch out for on the Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) website.

Want some new trees on your property? September is a great time to make use of our tree rebate!

P.S. If you do have a tree that needs to be managed to prevent structural damage and you are able to safely do so, consider leaving it as a snag tree. Snags are trunks of trees that are left to provide wildlife habitat for woodpeckers, owls, chickadees, and other wildlife, and they are in short supply in our urban landscape!