You can get a general sense of a tree’s health by looking at its leaves, branches, and trunk, but appearance alone doesn’t always tell the full story. Some problems develop below the surface or inside the trunk where they aren’t visible from the ground.
Leaves and Canopy
A healthy tree usually has a full canopy with leaves that are a consistent size and color for the species and season. Watch for leaves that are smaller than usual, unusually pale, or dropping earlier than expected. Thinning in parts of the canopy, where you can see more sky through the branches than in previous years, can also be worth noting.
Branch growth is another clue. Healthy trees typically produce new growth each year at the tips of branches. Little to no new growth, especially compared to previous seasons, can be a sign that something has changed.
Branches and Trunk
Dead or declining branches scattered through the canopy are worth paying attention to, particularly if the number seems to be increasing over time. A few dead twigs here and there isn’t unusual, but a growing pattern of dieback is different from an isolated branch.
Trunk condition matters too. Look for cracks, splits, peeling bark, or areas where the bark looks different in color or texture from the rest of the trunk. Visible damage from storms, mowers, or construction equipment can also affect a tree’s condition over time, especially if the wound is large or hasn’t healed.
Root Area and Seasonal Changes
The area around the base of the tree can offer clues as well. Fungal growth at the base, soil that looks disturbed or heaved, or exposed roots that seem to be decaying are all things worth keeping an eye on. It’s also useful to compare how the tree looks now to how it looked in previous seasons — unusual changes in leaf-out timing, color, or overall fullness from one year to the next can signal that something is different, even if you can’t pinpoint the cause.
When a Professional Look Makes Sense
Visible symptoms can have a lot of different causes, from soil conditions to pests to simple age, and it’s not always possible to tell which one is at play just by looking. If you’re noticing changes in a tree on your Westminster property and want a clearer picture of what’s going on, a tree health assessment can help identify what’s affecting the tree and what, if anything, should happen next. Reach out to describe what you’re seeing, and we can help you figure out the right next step.
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