Trees in urban and suburban areas are more prone to decay because they are more likely to be damaged than trees in natural environments. This is because humans cause most wounds to trees. Of course, this is usually unintentional. They may be caused by automobiles, construction, lawn mowers, or improper pruning. Wounds can be caused by natural events as well, like storms, fires, or damage caused by birds and other animals.

Wood and trunk decay is the most common type of tree disease. Decay can greatly weaken trees, cause them to be unsightly, and shorten their lifespan. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tree decay.

When a wound occurs, fungi can enter the wood and cause decay. The wood around the wound can produce chemicals in the cells of the wood that create a barrier to isolate the infected area, much like a wound on our skin would. Cleaning decayed wood from cavities is actually not recommended because you could cause further damage to the compartment wall and trunk of the tree.

Symptoms of decay include cavities, loose or missing bark, carpenter ants, excessive deadwood, fungal conks, lean, weak branch attachment, root damage, and poor wound closure. Also, watch out or holes in the trunk. This can result in interior decay.. These symptoms may be difficult to notice until it develops on the outside of the tree. Other symptoms include development of mushrooms or fungi, or soft, fragile wood. Discolored leaves and rotting roots are other symptoms.

Unfortunately, when a tree begins decaying, not much can be done to save it. They can become hazardous to your property so it is best to take care of them as soon as possible. Call in the help of a tree removal company in Gates Mills area, like Vancuren Tree Service, for help if you notice decaying trees on your property.

• Trees are touching power lines
  This is an immediate concern because it is a fire hazard. This should be reported immediately, in addition to asking a tree specialist to come remove it immediately. Trees in power lines are a possible cause of wildfires as well.
• Branches that are splitting or about to fall
  Falling branches can cause serious injury to people and pets as well as damage cars and property. It may sound simple enough to take care of it on your own but this can result in injury. It is best to allow professionals to take care of falling and broken branches so no one is injured.
• Exposed root system
  Sometimes improper pruning or other environmental factors can cause a tree to lean and become uprooted. This is something you should not attempt to fix on your own. It may cause the tree to fall which could cause damage, injury, or even death.
• Branches touching your home
  If a branch is tapping on your window or rubbing up against your siding, it’s time to call a tree specialist. Specialists can properly prune the tree so it does not become damaged and is not done improperly.
• Decay
  A professional can assess whether the tree can survive with proper treatment. If this option is possible, it may be less costly than tearing down the tree.
• If a tree has already fallen
  If a tree has already fallen and it is not an obstruction, you can make the choice of whether to remove it or not. Tree specialists can ensure this is done safely and properly so no extra damage is done to your property.
• Dead tree
  While it may not look like a problem, underneath the soil, the roots are becoming weaker and that tree will not be anchored in the ground as firmly as it should be. Call a tree specialist to ensure that it is properly removed and does not cause damage.
• Giant stumps that need grinding are also a reason to call tree service specialists. 

Many tree service companies can also give general advice and come to your property for consultations. They will tell you how to take care of your trees, which ones might need to be removed, and which trees might need extra care, so that they do not need to be removed. Gates Mills tree trimming companies, like Vancuren Tree Services, can ensure that your trees are taken care of safely and efficiently. 

The best tip our tree experts can give you when looking to plant new trees and shrubs successfully is to plan ahead. Once a tree is fully grown it is exponentially harder to fix problems that could have been avoided right from the start.

Other things to consider:

• Looking to plant a tree or shrub near the foundation of your home in a flowerbed? Be sure to choose a tree with non-invasive roots, otherwise the roots can grow and interfere with the foundation of your home. Your trees need the proper space for the roots and canopy to grow so that it won’t fall over, potentially onto your house.
• Get the professionals to mark off locations where there are underground utilities like power lines or underground pipes.
• Trees that are expected to be taller need a proper amount of room to widen and spread out. Plan accordingly so that you don’t end up with branches hanging over your house.

During your planning also choose a species that will fit the parameters you are working with. The expected size of the tree, once it has matured, will help you figure out how far to space your plants. So say you find a tree that is expected to grow 15 feet tall, you would then plant the tree at least 15 feet away from other pieces of your landscaping layout.

If you are focused more on adding shrubs to your yard, you won’t need as much room as a tree. If your shrub will grow to be 6 feet wide, you can plan to leave half the amount of space (3 feet) between your shrub and the next landscaping element.

Want more landscaping and planning input from an expert? Our team of experts at VanCuren Tree Services can provide advice based upon years of experience. We also specialize in Cleveland Heights tree trimming, tree removal, and more! Whatever it may be, we are ready to help with your next project.

Arborists suggest that you choose a new spot for your new tree addition. While you could plant in the same exact spot as before, you probably shouldn’t…it is best to plant in another location where the soil is fresh. The soil where your old tree used to stand has most likely used up a majority of the rich nutrients that a new tree really needs to grow. Also, that leftover sawdust from the recently removed tree or ground up stump has the ability to change the composition of the soil. Consider, too, that the tree has been removed, but some of the roots will remain. WIth old roots in the way there won’t be enough room for new roots to spread out and develop properly. Maybe you had to remove a beloved old tree from your yard due to a disease or infestation.

Where is a Good Place to Plant a Tree?

You have a couple options for planting your new tree nearby or exactly at the old location. If you are okay with the tree being near the removed tree, plan to plant about six-eight feet away from the old stump or ground out stump.

If that old spot is truly “the perfect spot” and you can’t bear to start anew in fresh soil elsewhere, it can be done with a little more effort:

• What was wrong with your old tree – once you know exactly what the problem was, then you can then pick out a tree that is resistant to the past issue.
• Wait a little while – The roots will take some time to stop doing their job. Once they decompose after about a year, the soil will be in better shape to prepare as a planting site.
• Treat the removed tree’s spot – This will take a bit of work on your part. Remove any sawdust remains, cut out as many roots as possible, and then add topsoil and perhaps some compost  for the best start to your new tree’s home.

Have more questions about your specific trees? Cleveland tree company’s team of tree service experts can provide answers! Give us a call for an inspection, tree removal tips, or for more information on services like tree removal and tree trimming.

What is actually going on with your tree when the rain just will not end? Even though a tree’s roots are buried underneath layers of soil and possibly mulch, the tiny spaces in the soil’s composition or pores, ensures that enough oxygen can reach the tree’s roots. When long periods of rain come to stay a while the water fills up and, in a way, “clogs” the pores so that the oxygen supply is barricaded from the roots. This can lead to problems like root rot, harmful fungal diseases, or other infections that could compromise the tree’s overall health. Visible symptoms would come in the form of yellowed or rotting leaves that prematurely drop.

To clarify on what counts as “too much rain”… there is no exact measure and no guarantees because every tree has different needs. In general though, you shouldn’t worry if there have been a couple of rainy days in a row. However, it might be a concern with days of above-average rainfall that lasts for a while.

We can not change the weather, but we can give our trees the best possible chance at surviving. Once the rain subsides, avoid watering your tree until the soil is completely dry. To do this, dig into the tree’s soil about six inches… this is a safe depth to know if the soil is still damp or wet. Next, don’t fertilize just yet; fertilizer encourages trees to use their energy to foster new growth. What your tree needs at this time is to focus its energy on recovering. Lastly, if you are unsure if your tree is able to recover or you are worried it may have another problem like a fungal disease, it is best to call on an expert. A Cleveland arborist at VanCuren is ready to answer your questions.

Concerned about your overwatered tree? VanCuren has proudly been providing Cleveland tree services for years — we want the trees in your beautiful Cleveland neighborhood to grow strong and healthy. Also, we can assist you with more projects like: tree trimming, tree removal, and even emergency tree removal.

If you are thinking about planting a new tree on your property you should consider a native tree! Not only will a native tree species thrive in the Cleveland, Ohio environment, you will contribute to the development of local wildlife. Many animals and insects such as birds, squirrels, bees, and butterflies rely upon local species of trees and plants to eat, build their homes, and fulfill their pollination duties. Unfortunately, when there are not enough local plant species available, these populations quickly decline. By planting a native tree you are actively helping the local ecosystem.

While non-native trees may look more interesting or seem like a good idea, a native tree is the better option. Native tree species are less prone to diseases and pest problems and therefore have a better chance at surviving.

Some things to consider about picking a new tree to plant
Native trees can be hard to find in the area for purchase as some places do not prioritize native plants. It will be worth the little bit of extra effort to find a local tree species, so be persistent in your search.

Although native trees are highly recommended for new planting projects, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the conditions on your property are ideal. For example, the dirt around your home may be more dense and clay-filled which is not the best for growing native trees that require a more well-draining, sandy soil consistency. Also make sure to consider the amount of shade and sun on your property.

Here is a starter list of native trees to choose from:

• Western white pine
• Bigleaf maple
• Ohio buckeye
• Black gum
• Striped maple
• Boxelder

Have more questions about planting a new tree or need more information about native tree species? Call VanCuren’s tree experts for recommendations and tips. VanCuren is your local Cleveland tree service for tree trimming, tree removal, and much more!

Holes in your tree become dangerous when it compromises the structural soundness of the tree. If a tree’s structure fails, you might find branches falling off or that the whole tree has fallen over. Have your trees looked at before this happens and damage is done to your property. Thankfully though, a hole in the trunk of a tree is not usually an issue.

When you hear a woodpecker pecking on one of your trees, you may also be initially worried that there is a dead tree on your property. There are certain types of woodpeckers that, if present, could indicate a sign that your tree is diseased or dead. The Pileated woodpecker, known for its bright red triangular head-crest, tends to feed on bugs of diseased trees and create their homes by creating holes in dead trees. If you see one of these woodpeckers on your tree, do not try to get rid of it. Instead, you should look into getting your tree removed, especially if it poses a threat to your home or property. Other woodpeckers may not be an issue, but eventually could lead to structural problems.

A non-threatening hole can be covered or filled for aesthetic reasons if you choose, but call a professional team to take care of this. Concrete is not a good fix for filling a hole as it does not allow flexibility as the tree bends and sways. There are special foams that can be used to fill in tree holes that will not further damage the tree.

It is common for trees to have holes, but it is most probably the size of the hole or the amount of holes that will determine if your tree has issues that need to be addressed. There can be several reasons that a tree starts showing holes. Make sure to call your local Cleveland Heights tree service at VanCuren for advice and recommendations. Also keep us in mind for any tree projects you are looking into like tree or stump removal and tree trimming.

One can never tell when a tree is going to become dangerous and fall. It can happen to strong, healthy, diseased, infected, and weak trees alike. Let’s go over some indicators starting at the top of the tree down to the bottom.

Your first thought about a potentially dangerous tree might be weather-related. Too much water can cause flooding around the base of the tree, lifting the soil so that there is nothing for the tree’s roots to grip. Inversely, too little water can cause a drought. Look at the canopy, the branches and leafy part of your tree. Can you see through the leaves and branches? When the leaves are too dense it acts as a buffer… if a strong wind comes through, it could topple the tree. A dense canopy can also prevent the necessary amount of sunlight to seep through and nourish the tree.

Is your tree split into a wide “Y” shape? In the case that a strong crosswind passes by your property, one of those Y branches could easily be twisted enough to leave it hanging or to detach. A strong branch-to-trunk connection looks like a large U shape and weak connections look like a V.

Lastly, take a look at the base and roots of your tree. Find any large crack in in the dirt around your tree? This could be a sign of a leaning tree. If your tree is leaning, even slightly with these dirt cracks present, a storm or flooding can uproot the tree with less resistance.

If you have spotted a dangerous tree on your Cleveland Heights property and are concerned about the next steps, give the Cleveland Heights tree removal experts at VanCuren Tree Service a call. We can help you with your tree trimming, tree pruning, and tree removal needs.

Mildew

If you find that some of your tree’s leaves are covered with a white powder, no worries, this one is an easy fix! Be careful to catch this one early on though as it can turn into an infection that cannot be remedied. Call the Cleveland tree trimming professionals at VanCuren to take a look at your tree’s leaves so that we can get to work to stop the spreading. At the infection stage, the white powder will turn into grey fuzz that covers everything from the leaves, stems, and buds.

The presence of powdery mildew is usually unavoidable, but there are ways to keep it from becoming an infection. The following are tips to prevent fungal infection:

• Trim your trees to increase air circulation
• Try to plant your trees in areas of full sun so that the leave can stay dry
• Space out your trees to prevent cross-infection

Peeling bark[

Trees go through a natural shedding process and so you may notice some loose pieces of bark. There could also be signs of peeling park due to severe weather either in summer or winter. However, to help you identify if this is a result of a disease or infestation, look for bare wood marked with lightly colored wavy lines or fuzzy fungus. A healthy tree will have new bark growth showing underneath a peeling spot.

Leaks

Trees do not heal like humans do, they seal their wounds. When a human is injured, the healing process also starts from the inside-out, whereas a tree calluses over the wound location to cover up the opening. If bacteria enters into an opening before the tree can seal, there is a possibility for wetwood, or slime flux. Sap will seep out of crevices or weak spots on the tree, but thankfully most of the time this is fixable. As for boring beetle infestations, however, there is no returning from the damage.

Take a good look at your trees to make sure that you do not find any of these diseases or infestations that are hurting your tree. Contact VanCuren Tree Services for any help you may require for the health of your trees. We offer services in tree removal, tree trimming, and much more in Cleveland, OH.

Your first question, however is probably along the lines of, how can I prevent the symptoms from getting worse? The answer to this and other similar questions can be summed up in two words: early detection, followed by: be proactive. If the invasion has traveled too deeply into the tree, the damage is irreparable and the likely solution is tree removal.

Signs of an infected or infested tree:

Mushroom growth – Mushrooms are the result of underlying fungus. While not all fungus is bad for a tree’s health, more often than not, mushroom growth means trouble. Whether a fungus finds its way into the roots of the tree through an opening in the bark or directly through the roots, once it enters the tree’s system it begins to nonstop feed on the tree’s tissue. If the fungus has already weakened the base of the tree, the best option is tree removal.

If you are able to spot signs of infection or infestation early on, there is a good chance that controlling or eliminating the problem will work. Call the Cleveland Heights tree service company experts at VanCuren if you see either of these signs that your tree is sick. We can work to help reduce or eliminate the disease of infestation or recommend our tree services and tree removal if the tree has become a hazard to your Cleveland Heights property.