Most of us feel pretty attached to our trees. They provide beauty and shade around our homes, and there’s just something majestic about them. So when you notice something odd going on, saving the tree will probably be your first instinct. And yes, taking action quickly is your best bet. Like humans, trees can go downhill fast if they develop a health problem.
So what can you do if you notice rot on the tree’s trunk? Keep in mind the importance of the trunk. It provides support to the entire tree, and nutrients travel through it from roots to branches. A disease in the trunk is much more difficult to cure than one that affects a few limbs, because the trunk is a central part of the entire organism.
Once you’ve noticed rot on the trunk, it probably already extends deep inside the tree. That’s because rot typically starts inside and then spreads outward. Therefore, once you’ve spotted it, it can be hard to know how extensive the problem actually is. And now your tree’s entire structural integrity is in question. A weak trunk will eventually mean a falling tree. And it can fall on your car, your home, or anything else in its way.
The only question is when. Will your tree fall tomorrow, or does it have years left? That question can be difficult to answer.
Your best course of action is to contact a tree expert right away. We can help determine the extent of the rot, and the cause of it. Then we’ll know whether your tree can be saved, and how to potentially save it.
Sometimes tree diseases can be healed with the right water, fertilization, pruning, and fungal or pesticide treatments (depending upon what is needed). An honest assessment will give you the odds of saving the tree, so that you can decide whether or not to invest in the effort. You also need to learn the odds of the tree declining and falling, so that you can opt for removal. Sometimes it is better to remove the tree, rather than risk your own property and safety.
Whatever you decide to do about a rotting tree, we’re here to help. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to give you a fair and honest appraisal of your situation.
