Leaves are a good, clear indicator of tree health. They should be the expected color during any given season. For example, in the summer, the leaves of most trees should be green, unless it’s a tree that typically has leaves of another color during summer. The leaves should also be the correct shape. They should not be irregularly shaped, stunted or damaged. Leaves of an off-color or odd shape can be indicators of malnourishment, insect damage, over or underwatering, or diseases.

The next place to look when checking up on your tree is its bark. With some exceptions, the tree’s bark should be intact. It should not be peeling or falling off the trunk. Also, the trunk should also have no large cracks or holes. One way to test the health of the bark is to scratch it with your fingernail. If the tree is green underneath the bark, then that means it is healthy. The branches should also bend easily; they should not snap and break.

On evergreen trees, there should not be bare patches, as this indicates that nutrients are not reaching the branches or damage caused by pesticides or improper pruning. Wilting leaves and stems on trees and plants alike can indicate stress, problems with water and or sunlight, whether too much or too little. Diseases can also cause this.

While a difficult metric to see, yearly tree growth is a major sign of a healthy tree. This is measured by looking at the distance between this year’s tree bud’s and the scar of last year’s buds. Each species will have varying rates of growth.

Some signs that your tree may not be healthy are a lack of fruit or flowers, or leaking sap. The tree should also have only one leader, or one dominant trunk.

Not only can a Hunting Valley tree service company such as VanCuren help you determine the health of your trees, they can also help you keep your trees healthy and thriving.

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.

It depends on the region, but in general the best time to water your trees is sometime between mid-March to early May. In other words, early springtime. Of course, if the dirt around your trees is already moist from melted snow or rainfall, then there is no need to water. On the other hand, if you notice that the soil around your tree is dry and powdery, your tree may be thirsty.

Try to plan to water your trees after the ground thaws and before temperatures start to become consistently warmer. This way you will be able to help along a tree’s growing process before the new sprouts of growth even begin to show.

Of course, a newly planted tree will need a lot of water as compared to a fully matured tree that only needs occasional supplemental water. New tree additions to your landscaping will require about 20 gallons of water per week. Mature trees, however, require much less. You should only water a mature tree every one to two months.

Check the soil. Our rule-of-thumb at VanCuren is that you should water your tree if the soil is still dry 4-6 inches deep, no matter the age of the tree.

If you are able, the optimal time to water a tree is in the morning. When you water your trees in the morning you are providing a reserve of water that the tree can drink from throughout the heat of the day. It also allows leaves to dry during the day, which helps prevent the growth of fungi or other diseases.

Have more questions about watering your trees to prepare for spring? The expert Cleveland arborist at VanCuren are ready to offer help and advice to the Cleveland area. Also keep us in mind for any other tree services you may need including: tree removal or tree trimming and pruning.

Depending on the type of tree you are looking to plant, you have to pay attention to how big and tall the tree is expected to grow. This will indicate how close you can plant the tree to your home, driveway, electric lines, sewage pipes, and other structures on, or around your property. Our tree experts at VanCuren using the rule of thumb that the bigger and taller your tree is expected to grow, the farther away it should be planted from the aforementioned list. Large and medium trees should be planted at least 10 feet from structure, while small trees should be planted at least two feet away from structures.

If you do not plant the tree deep enough in the ground, that is when you will start to see the roots creep up to the surface and cause issues. Most tree’s roots only lie two feet into the ground. Consult or call a professional arborist to make sure that you have taken into account factors like drip line and tree root flare for the optimal depth of tree planting.

For these reasons it is best that you pick a preferred location to plant your tree first rather than choosing the kind of tree you want.

Overall, the best way to make sure you are protecting your tree’s roots is to find a local tree servicing company. This way, they will already know all about the local conditions and preferred tree species for this climate. Give VanCuren a call today to get started with any projects you may have in the Cleveland area like: tree removal, tree planting, tree trimming, and more!

If you have a young tree that is leaning, the best way to fix the tilt is by staking the tree. You should use two or three metal or wooden stakes per tree. Follow these steps to learn how to stake your trees:

• Find the spot on the tree trunk where it feels like there is the most bend. This looks like the same point where you notice the start of the tree lean. It will most likely be somewhere around the 5-foot mark.
• Hammer the two stakes into the ground on the opposite sides of the tree trunk — about a foot and a half away from the trunk. Optimally, it should be positioned upwind of the tree trunk. Each stake should stick out of the ground at the same height at the leaning point. If you think you need a third stake, place that one on the open side of the tree.
• Attach the stakes to the tree trunk using a soft material like tree staking straps or canvas straps. Allow for a little slack in the attachments to leave room for a natural amount of swaying. Do not use wire or rope for this step. These materials will injure your tree.

When you stake a tree, remember that it is only for temporary support. By staking a tree you are helping the tree establish its root system. Once the tree has grown out of its growing season and its roots are firmly grounded, the tree will no longer need the stakes.

As for older trees, if there is a significant amount of tilt, there is not much that can be done. Usually the tree is leaning due to an imbalance in the branches or as a result of poor health. In this case, you should have your tree removed to reduce potential safety hazards near your Cleveland area home. Feel free to call Cleveland tree removal company VanCuren Tree Services with any questions regarding a leaning tree or for any other tree services such as: tree trimming, tree removal, or emergency tree services.