Top Ten Tree Problems

1. Wrong tree…Wrong place - This is the number one tree problem. If the right tree species is planted in the right location it is unlikely to have or cause most of the other nine problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners and even hired landscapers are not aware of a particular tree species ultimate size, maintenance requirements and inherent problems.
2. Too much water…Too little water - Improper irrigation can kill a tree directly by drowning or dehydration. More often, it stresses the plant and makes it susceptible to pest and disease problems that can lead to death or even toppling of large mature trees. Solano Shade can inspect and evaluate existing irrigation systems and programs and advise changes to optimize water usage and tree vigor.
3. Overpruning - We see a disturbing amount of poor pruning practiced by so-called professional tree services and landscapers. “Heading” or “Topping” of trees is ugly, causes plant stress and stimulates unnatural and dangerous growth patterns. Overthinning or “Lions-Tailing” removes too much low, interior growth and leaves the bushy tops swaying precariously in the wind. It also causes plant stress and makes the tree susceptible to sunburn injury. Trunks and limbs with sunburn wounds often decay and are more likely to break off.
4. Improper planting practices - Problems include too deep or too narrow planting holes, improper ammending of backfill soil and failure to correct girdling root problems at planting time. Short term, these practices can lead to tree death or slow growth. Long term, improperly planted trees can grow to great size only to fall over due to root decay or girdling root problems.
5. Poor support staking - Container grown trees typically need to be staked at planting to stand upright and not be broken in the wind. However, we often see trees that are “over staked”. Trees must be allowed to move in the wind to develop reaction wood (tree muscles). So stakes that are bound snug against the trunk or have rigid ties inhibit tree growth. Support stakes also need to be adjusted with tree growth and removed as soon as possible.
6. Construction Damage - Tree limbs are often cut back to clear for the construction of buildings. If the cutting is severe, it can damage the tree. But the real damage is often unnoticeable at first. The real damage is underground. Roots are cut for trenches, the soil is compacted, the grade is raised or lowered, water drainage or penetration is reduced. All these things have a profoundly negative impact on tree health. A tree impacted this way could die weeks, months or years later.
7. Fungal and Bacterial Diseases - Diseases that blight foliage are typically more of a nuisance than a major threat to plant health. These fungal problems also tend to be weather dependent (more problems with late spring rains). Depending on circumstances, the disease may not even warrant treatment. Diseases infecting woody tissue, however, can be very dangerous. Sudden Oak Death is an example. While there is no “cure” for these types of disease, they can be prevented and sometimes managed to limit damage. Early detection and good cultural practices are key.
8. Insect Pests - Insect pests that chew or suck on plant foliage can make a sticky mess and make a plant unsightly. Fortunately, they rarely threaten the life of the plant if other growing conditions are favorable. Foliage feeding pests are also easily controlled with environmentally safe pesticides. Pests that feed on woody tissue (such as borers) are a more likely to kill a tree. Borers tend to be somewhat like vultures in that they attracted to trees that are already stressed by other problems. While some types of borers can be controlled with pesticides, the real solution is to keep your trees healthy.
9. Roots damaging property - Roots can interfere with sewers, water lines, crack concrete and even lift building foundations. This is usually a problem of the wrong tree in the wrong place. While indiscriminate root removal can lead to tree decline, death and toppling, judicious root pruning can often prevent damage. We have also seen many cases where trees were unfairly blamed for property damage.
10. Neighbor Issues - Trees do not recognize property boundaries. Unfortunately, trees can become the cause of very unpleasant conflicts between neighbors. Solano Shade has acquired a good deal of experience with these issues and are familiar with the laws that apply to them. While we are not lawyers, we can often guide you through solving such problems and can often help neighbors find suitable compromises that save trees and reduce conflict.