Many of us have grown up surrounded by trees. We climbed on them as kids, collected pretty leaves in the fall, and now as adults, we feel revived when we spend time around them, away from the stresses of life. The impact a tree’s simple presence can have been severe and noticeable, and not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Having a tree in your yard feels like a responsibility, because it is. We make sure our trees stay healthy, we water them during the dry season, and we watch them flourish anew each spring. They provide shade, and decoration, and life.

And that is what makes it all the more heartbreaking when we notice one suddenly start to wither, and eventually, die. The empty plot of land that is left behind from a dead tree that had been around for many decades can feel like a hole in your life.

Is Your Tree Past The Point of Saving?

A thorough inspection is what is needed when you start to fear your tree may be dying. It is smartest to begin at the roots and then move along the trunk to the branches and canopy. There are six big warning signs which you should watch out for during your inspection:

1. Lifting soil along the bottom of the trunk
2. Fungi growing along the roots and bottom of the trunk
3. Cracks and peeling bark along the trunk
4. Holes in the trunk
5. Rotten and weirdly angled branches
6. Thin twigs sans living buds sprouting from the tips of branches

Accept That All Living Things Must Die

Just as humans and animals have a living lifespan, so do trees. They are alive, they eat and grow and change, and eventually, they will die. Accepting this is important. But it does not mean that you shouldn’t take measures to prolong the lives of your trees.

Do Not Neglect to Cherish Them While They Live

The best way to support your tree and ensure its longevity, is to schedule regular inspections with an arborist. Since they are trained professionals, they will be able to assess whether your tree is merely in need of some TLC in the form of pest or disease treatments, or if it truly is past saving and needs to be removed for the sake of everyone and everything’s safety. Often cabling and support can help a leaning tree last longer and might not need removal. But it is best for a Tree Service in San Jose to assist you through these issues. They have the staff and tools to protect and maintain trees such that it benefits everyone.