August is National Tree Check Month
Hey tree lovers! We’ve got some exciting news: August is National Tree Check Month. That means it’s time to get out there and ensure all your trees are tip-top. A healthy tree can help reduce greenhouse emissions, which is excellent for the environment. Plus, a well-looked-after tree gives you bragging rights among your neighbors (and not just because they’re jealous). So, get out there and start checking!
August is National Tree Check Month
In August, the Arbor Day Foundation and its partners encourage everyone to visit trees in their community or yard to check for signs of disease, decay, or insect damage. By doing this simple task, you can help keep trees healthy and prevent serious problems that may result from neglected issues.
To promote National Tree Check Month, we’ve created a checklist to guide you through your tree inspection:
- look at the overall shape of the tree.
- does it appear healthy?
- is it growing straight up with no leaning branches? If branches appear dead or dying, gently touch them with your hand; if they feel brittle or break easily, they may be infested by an insect pest such as an aphid or leafhopper. If this is the case, take action immediately by contacting us at SB Tree Service so we can schedule an appointment for treatment!
Check Your Trees
As Central Florida’s leading tree care authority, we believe every tree should be healthy and thriving. To do so, it needs good soil and proper care. This month is dedicated to helping people understand how they can help their trees grow strong and healthy in Brevard and Volusia County.
In addition to checking your trees for signs of insects or disease, you can also check for other issues such as:
- damaged roots from lawn mowers or construction equipment
- root disease is caused by poor drainage (often caused by improper grading)
- tree damage from animals like beavers or rodents
Each Year, Thousands of Our Nation’s Trees Die from Invasive Pests and Diseases
In the United States, millions of trees are lost yearly due to invasive pests and diseases. These killer diseases can be spread by animals or humans and often go unnoticed until it is too late.
Like any disease, you must know how to prevent them from entering your yard.
Diseases, Pests, and Air Pollution
Stressed trees are at risk of becoming diseased, weak, or unstable. As a result, they may need to be removed for safety reasons.
Here are some common signs that your tree may be stressed:
- drooping or wilting leaves on one-quarter to one-half of the canopy
- smaller than normal growth
- branches that have died back or are dead while the rest of the tree is alive
- yellowing leaves with brown tips or margins
Trees Need Healthy Roots to be Able to Better Withstand Stress
Trees need healthy roots to be able to withstand stress better. Roots are essential for water and nutrient uptake, anchoring the tree, stability, and aeration. When trees have good root systems, it’s much easier for them to withstand drought or other types of stress.
This is especially important during peak hurricane season, which is now! A stressed or weak root system can lead to a fallen tree. Fallen trees pose many types of dangerous risks, such as:
- safety concerns to homeowners
- home damage
- property damage
- electrical damage
Check Your Trees
Tree check month is the perfect time for a general tree inspection. Check your trees every 3 months! And make sure you know the signs of tree health so you can get them back on track as soon as possible.
We hope you will take time this month to inspect your trees and give them the care they need. That way, we can all enjoy the beauty of a healthy tree for many years to come! At SB Tree Service, our ISA-certified arborist can help you with your tree care needs throughout the year; contact us today to learn more about our services!