Time for a Tree Check-up?

Are the trees around your house thriving or do they need some tender loving care? Perhaps you are not sure but would like to learn more about what constitutes a healthy tree and how to revitalize a sickly-looking specimen. The first step is to conduct a tree check-up.

During a tree check-up, you take a walk around your property to look at the trees near important structures like your home, garage, sidewalk, patio, or driveway — any place that has intrinsic value or where people congregate.  These areas are often referred to as “targets” by professional tree care people. Your home is a prime ”target” because a tree falling on it could result in substantial property damage. 

To begin your check-up, take a hand-drawn map or downloaded aerial photo of your property outside with you to walk around the property. Really look at each tree you find. A healthy tree will have lots of green foliage, a well-balanced canopy, little deadwood, and no scars, or hollow areas. Do you find tree trunks that are straight rather than leaning? If so, they’re probably healthy. In contrast, do you see dead trees? Trees with large dead branches or small branch die-back? Trees with hollow sections? A tree that is leaning hard towards your garage?  

Trees with dead sections, hollows or distinct leans are noteworthy. Add their locations to your map with some notes for yourself about their status. For instance ”the small tree at the patio corner has a severe lean towards the garage.” You may notice insects or disease activity in a tree. Caterpillars eating leaves, webbing in tree crotches, large mushrooms growing on the base of a tree, or leaves that are brown in midsummer, a time when they should be green — all could be signs of insect or disease damage and are worth noting.

Once you have completed your check-up, what’s next?  You can use online research tools and information from your local Extension Office to learn more about tree care, and follow up with a professional, a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert. Licensed Tree Experts must pass a sufficiency test and carry appropriate insurance to be able to advertise or do business in Maryland. Many Maryland Licensed Tree Experts are also certified arborists, meaning that they have arboriculture expertise recognized by a national certifying organization. Many Tree Experts will visit your property at no cost to look at your trees, diagnose problems and recommend practices to remedy them, or to enhance tree health. A good arborist should clearly explain what is wrong with the tree, what could be done to correct it and how much it will cost to do so. A professional firm should provide you with a written estimate to conduct the work. Many homeowners work with a trusted company over many years, and develop a thorough understanding of tree care.

Talking to Tree Experts, arborists, reading books on arboriculture, and attending seminars are all good ways to increase your tree knowledge. Amassing this knowledge takes a little time and dedication. You can get started on Tuesday, September 15th  when the Frederick County Forestry Board and Hood College are offering a free opportunity to learn about insects and diseases that impact shade trees, at 1:00 pm in Room 131 in the Hodson Science and Technology building on the Hood campus. For more information, visit: https://frederick.forestryboard.org/.