Trees are wonderful additions to any backyard. They improve air quality, provide homes for wildlife, cool your home and yard and provide a naturally soothing and pleasant environment. But sometimes trees look a little strange and that weirdness might be a sign that all is not well with your foliage

Trees Tell You When They’re Ill

Trees can’t speak, but the way they look can communicate volumes.

Sick trees display clear signs that warn you when disease is taking over. Look for these 5 signals that you may have a sick tree:

• Borer Beetles

Borer is a member of the beetle family that can attach to many hardwood trees throughout Australia. The female beetle lays her eggs in the tree’s trunk or branches and the larvae then feed off the nutrients of the tree, depriving it of the resources it needs to grow.

Borer beetles can do a lot of damage so it’s important to check for them regularly. Typically, evidence of a borer can be found in the trunk or large limbs of the tree. Look for round or oval holes in your tree where the borer has started to find its way in.

• Discoloured Leaves

If your tree is sick, its fronds or foliage will start to discolour. Discolouration of the leaves, outside of regular seasonal changes, indicates that the tree is not receiving enough sunlight, water, or nitrogen. This means that it can’t produce energy via photosynthesis or that a disease could be running rampant within the tree.

• A Little Thin on Top

A human can go completely bald and still be basically healthy, but that’s not the case with trees. If you notice that the canopy of the tree is thinning or that it is not as thick as it used to be, your tree may be sick. This is particularly evident in larger trees that have a lush canopy.

• Leaf Loss

If your tree is dropping leaves when it typically has lots of them, it may be sick. Spring and summer are typically times where trees bud and grow new leaves. If your tree is losing leaves instead or isn’t growing new leaves for the new season, it may well be a sign of disease.

• Not a Drop to Drink

If the soil around your tree is bone dry and you know that it has not received any water for a number of days, your tree may be sick. Most trees need a tremendous amount of water and often store water deep in their root system.

However, if it has not received water in a while, it may be drying out. Try watering the tree well. Wait a few days to see if the tree starts to recover or if it has been damaged or is diseased.

Ask the Professionals

Keep an eye on your trees, but if you have any doubts, contact a qualified arborist to determine if your tree is sick. At JK Cooper Tree Services in Newcastle, we can help you find the best solution.