Introduction

Adam's Tree Service’s blog helps you recognize the early signs of declining tree health and understand how timely action can make all the difference between saving a tree and having to remove it.

Highlights

Overview

Your trees are undoubtedly excellent landscape features, but they’re also essential parts of your property’s ecosystem. However, even the sturdiest oak or the tallest maple can quietly fall victim to disease, pests, or structural problems.

Like people, trees show symptoms when something isn’t right. You just need to know how to recognize them. Discolored leaves, cracking bark, and dead branches are all warning signs that can be easy to overlook without knowing what to watch for.

We’ll guide you through the most common indicators of a tree in distress and explain why professional diagnosis and treatment are so important.

The Importance of Healthy Trees on Your Property

Healthy trees contribute to your property’s value, energy efficiency, and visual appeal. They offer natural cooling through shade, help stabilize soil, reduce stormwater runoff, and support biodiversity by providing a habitat for birds, insects, and small animals. In both urban and suburban settings, mature trees deliver environmental benefits that are hard to match with most other types of vegetation.

Unhealthy trees, however, tell a different story. A sick or dying tree is unattractive and can quickly become dangerous. Falling limbs, root instability, or full tree failure can pose serious threats to people, buildings, and utility lines. This is why regular tree assessments go beyond appearance, as they help protect your property and everyone on it.

Top Signs Your Tree’s Health Might Be in Trouble

Trees don’t come with warning lights, but they do have ways of telling you something’s wrong. Changes in appearance or structure can point to deeper issues, and catching these early can make a big difference.

Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:

Discolored or Wilting Leaves

Leaves that turn yellow, brown, or wilt outside of the normal seasonal cycle may indicate stress, disease, or nutrient deficiency. Pay special attention if the discoloration starts at the top of the tree or on one side only, as this could signal internal damage or pest infestation.

Early or Unseasonal Leaf Drop

Trees shedding leaves before autumn or refusing to leaf out in spring are red flags. Premature leaf loss can be caused by root rot, water stress, fungal disease, or insect damage. If your tree is going bald in patches, don’t ignore it.

Dead or Bare Branches

Deadwood can develop for several reasons, including age, weather damage, or infection. If entire branches lack leaves in spring or are brittle and dry, it’s likely the tree has internal decay. These limbs are also more prone to breaking and falling.

Cracks, Cankers, or Peeling Bark

Vertical cracks and bark splits can result from temperature fluctuations or internal decay. Cankers—sunken or swollen areas on the trunk or branches—are often signs of fungal or bacterial infections. If bark is falling off in sheets or exposing large patches of bare wood, your tree may be dying from the inside out.

Fungal Growth at the Base

Mushrooms or fungal conks (shelf-like growths) near the roots or base of the trunk often indicate root decay. Once a tree’s root system is compromised, it can’t effectively transport water and nutrients, making collapse a very real risk.

Unusual Leaf Growth or Deformities

Leaves that are misshapen, too small, or oddly colored may be reacting to environmental stressors, chemical exposure, or pest activity. Watch for curling, spotting, or holes in leaves, all of which may suggest an underlying issue.

Sudden Leaning or Uplifted Soil

A healthy tree should grow upright. If it begins to tilt or shift without a clear reason (like wind damage), the root system might be failing. Soil that appears cracked, heaving, or pulled away near the base could be a sign that the roots are no longer anchored.

Sticky Residue or Honeydew on Leaves and Surfaces

If you notice a sticky coating on leaves, cars, or patio furniture under your tree, sap-sucking insects like aphids, scales, or whiteflies might be to blame. These pests secrete a substance called honeydew, which can attract ants and promote sooty mold.

Excessive Insect Activity

A few insects are normal, but an infestation is not. Signs of an infestation include clusters of beetles, caterpillars, or borers, holes in the trunk, or sawdust-like frass around the base. Some pests burrow into the wood and damage the tree's vascular system.

Understanding What Causes Tree Stress and Disease

It’s not always easy to tell what’s putting your tree in distress. One day it looks fine, and the next, it’s dropping leaves or showing strange discoloration. The truth is, a lot of things can quietly wear down a tree’s health over time. Knowing what those stressors are is the first step toward prevention.

Here are some of the most common culprits behind tree decline.

Soil Compaction

If your tree is near a high-traffic area or construction zone or gets run over by the mower too often, the soil can become compacted, and less oxygen will reach the roots.

Poor Drainage or Too Much Water

Too much of a good thing can hurt. When soil stays saturated, roots can essentially drown, and all that moisture creates a perfect home for harmful fungi.

Drought Stress

Long dry spells can be tough on trees. Without enough water, they can’t photosynthesize efficiently, which limits their ability to grow and defend against disease.

Improper Pruning

Cutting back large branches too aggressively or topping your tree might seem like a quick fix, but it often leads to decay, infection, and long-term stress.

Pest Infestations

Bugs like emerald ash borers, bark beetles, and tent caterpillars don’t just nibble leaves—they can cause serious internal damage and even kill a tree if left unchecked.

Fungal or Bacterial Infections

Diseases like Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, or fire blight often show up as discolored leaves, wilting, or unusual growths. If not treated early, these infections can spread fast.

Root Damage

Sometimes, the problem is underground. Construction work, trenching, or even laying a new driveway can sever roots and destabilize the tree.

Lack of Nutrients

If your tree is rooted in depleted or compacted soil or isn’t getting enough essential nutrients, it might struggle to grow properly and fight off pests or diseases.

The Value of a Professional Tree Health Assessment

Many tree health issues are invisible to the untrained eye. That’s where a certified arborist comes in. These professionals understand how to interpret signs of stress, test the soil, assess structural stability, and diagnose diseases before they spread.

Here’s what a tree assessment might include:

  • Visual inspection of canopy, trunk, bark, and root zone
  • Soil sampling and nutrient analysis
  • Tree risk assessment for nearby structures or power lines
  • Recommendations for pruning, fertilization, pest control, or removal
  • Monitoring over time to track improvements or deterioration

Early action can save a tree and, in some cases, prevent injury or property damage.

Treatment Options for Sick Trees

Once you know what’s going on with your tree, the next step is figuring out how to help it bounce back. Depending on the problem, an arborist might suggest one or more of the following treatments.

Pruning Dead or Diseased Branches

Removing infected or dead branches helps prevent the spread of decay and reduces the weight on weakened limbs. Pruning the right way encourages fresh growth and helps air move more freely through the canopy.

Soil Aeration and Nutrient Boosting

Decompacting the soil and adding organic matter or fertilizer helps roots absorb more oxygen and nutrients. This treatment is especially helpful for trees in urban areas or near construction zones.

Pest Management

Insecticide treatments, traps, or natural predators may be used to reduce pest populations. In some cases, trunk injections are necessary to treat internal infestations.

Cabling and Bracing

If a structurally sound tree has heavy or split limbs, installing cables or braces can stabilize it and prevent breakage, especially in storms.

Fungicide or Bactericide Application

Targeted chemical treatments may stop infections like root rot or canker diseases if caught early enough.

Deep Root Watering or Irrigation Systems

Dry trees may need supplemental watering. Deep root systems deliver moisture directly where it’s needed without over-saturating the surface soil.

How To Keep Trees Healthy Year-Round

The best way to avoid serious tree problems is through prevention. In most cases, that’s best done with a professional arborist's help. There are many ways to keep your trees healthy, but a few strategies stand out above the rest.

  • Schedule an annual check-up with an arborist: A certified arborist can catch early signs of stress or disease before they become serious.
  • Water deeply during dry periods: This is especially important for young or newly planted trees that have yet to establish strong root systems.
  • Mulch the base: Mulching helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition.
  • Don’t over-prune: Taking off too much foliage can put the tree under stress and reduce its ability to produce energy and grow.
  • Keep soil aerated and nutrient-rich: This is particularly important in compacted areas where roots may struggle to access air and nutrients.

Keep Your Trees Healthy With Our Arborist Services

Trees are tough, but they still need the proper care to stay healthy and strong. Adam's Tree Service specializes in tree health care and can help you spot early signs of trouble before they become serious. Call (817) 357-2931 to schedule a custom health care plan with one of our certified arborists.