Why Is Your Tree Dying

Introduction:

The sudden death of a tree is heartbreaking for any tree owner. You might be in such a situation where one day your tree is green and healthy, and the next day it is on the verge of dying. Even after taking a top tree service to ensure your tree’s longevity, there may be underlying causes that will lead to the death of your tree.

 

In this article, we will explore 10 different reasons why your tree may die. You will also find valuable information on how to detect symptoms of diseases in trees, and how you can keep your garden safe from such threats.

 

The Causes behind a Tree’s Death

Generally, trees will show one or more symptoms before they die. The symptoms include rotten roots, browning or yellowing of leaves, curled leaves, losing branches, etc. In rare cases, however, trees can die all of a sudden. Below, you will find all the reasons why your tree may die, either slowly or at once.

 

1.      End of lifespan:

Not all trees have the same lifespan. Some may last for a few years only, and some may continue to live for hundreds of years. Generally, the trees that grow up the fastest have the least lifespan.

 

So, when a tree dies, the first thing you need to find out is its lifespan. There is a great possibility that your tree might have died simply because its lifespan has ended.

 

2.      Environment Conditions:

The environment in which the tree is thriving plays a major role in its overall health. The type and moisture of soil, air conditions, nutrients found in the soil, and weather conditions altogether determine the longevity of a tree.

 

Therefore, before planting a tree, it is crucial to know if the environment is suitable for its growth. For example, a plant that requires moist soil will not survive in a dry area, unless you

regularly water it. Some common environmental conditions that can gradually kill your tree are-

·         Too much salt in the soil

·         Lack of drainage in the soil

·         Drought conditions

·         Polluted air

·         Polluted soil

·         Harsh sunlight

·         Extreme coldness etc.

 

 

3.      Diseases:

Some diseases like chestnut blight are so intimidating that they can wither entire forests overnight. But the good news is that such cases are extremely rare, and most diseases will show detectable symptoms way before it becomes deadly for your tree. Yet, these diseases are just as alarming since they can spread throughout your entire garden.

 

Check out this article to know the symptoms of some common tree diseases- https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/forestry/health/disease-problems.aspx

 

4.      Insects:

Insects tend to infect trees that are already weaker, either because of environmental or man- made conditions. Harmful insects like borers, pine beetles, and moths can potentially kill your tree.

 

To save your tree from such infections, regularly check the trunks and leaves to see if there are any holes or bites in them. If you find any, make sure to use pesticides.

 

5.      Wild animals:

Hungry animals like wild goats or deer often chew or gnaw the barks of your tree and make the trunk more prone to insect attacks. This can gradually lead to the death of a tree.

 

6.      Natural calamities:

Even if your tree seems fine after a massive storm, there is always a chance of its roots becoming loose, which ultimately causes the breakage of your tree. Snowfall can also cause a

similar reaction. Sometimes people damage the twigs or branches of their trees while trying to remove ice.

 

On the other hand, drought makes your tree unable to suck up water from the soil, and long floods cause the oxygen level of the roots to diminish quickly. All these can deteriorate the health of your tree and even make it die.

 

7.      Overwatering:

This is one of the most common reasons behind the death of houseplants. Plants that sit in overflown water for too long will sooner or later develop rotten roots. So, only water your plants when the top half of the soil has completely dried up, and don’t pour an excessive amount of water.

 

8.      Overuse of fertilizers or pesticides:

While your tree does need moderate amounts of fertilizers for proper nourishment, too much fertilizers can negatively affect it.

 

The excessive fertilizer works as a barrier between the water and the tree’s roots, and thus, the tree cannot get a sufficient amount of water. The overuse of fertilizers shows symptoms like wilting or yellowing of leaves.

 

Too much chemical pesticides can lead to the soil becoming toxic for your tree. So, moderately use fertilizers and avoid chemical pesticides unless they are absolutely necessary.

 

9.      Lack of water:

As I have mentioned earlier, dried soil messes with the tree’s growth. Excessive drought can gradually weaken your tree and cause it to die out of nowhere. That is why make sure to water your plants regularly.

 

10.  Physical damage:

You won’t believe how often people end up killing their tree while simply attempting to take care of it. You may damage your tree when trying to remove a dead branch, or you may mulch your tree too close to the trunk.

It is always better to let professional arborists handle these tasks, as experimenting may lead to the death of your tree.