Blog | Tree Care Services

As a property owner, you understand the importance of proper tree care for the safety and value of your property. However, many property owners need help knowing where to begin when it comes to treating and caring for sick trees. 

Fortunately, our team at G & V can help. We’re tree service experts in Alexandria, VA, providing top-quality tree care for various types of properties. 

In this blog, we talk about tree sickness and seven tips for sick tree treatment. To learn more about how to care for sick or healthy trees, reach out to our G & V team with your questions today. 

How Do Trees Get Diseases? 

Trees can contract diseases through various channels. When left unattended, trees can fall victim to several natural occurrences that allow infection, damage, and other issues to take hold. 

In general, factors that contribute to tree disease include: 

• Environmental bacteria
• Natural stressors
• Viruses
• Human activity 
• Litter or pollution
• Fungi
• Insects
• Animals
• And more

If you notice struggling trees on your property, work with professional arborists to diagnose and treat your trees promptly. Quick treatment plays a critical role in preventing diseases and illnesses from spreading to other trees. 

Signs of a Sick Tree

To reduce the spread of tree sickness, keep a lookout for the following signs of a diseased tree: 

• Dark spots in leaves
• Wilting or drooping leaves
• Small or deformed leaves
• Leaf drop
• Falling limbs
• Deadening branches
• Bark loss
• Pest or insect infestation 
• And more

Schedule regular tree inspections and maintenance to keep your trees in tip-top shape and catch early signs of illness. 

Why Prompt Treatment Matters

In some cases, diseases can spread from tree to tree, causing widespread issues. Treating common tree diseases as soon as possible helps prevent the spread of the disease from tree to tree and keeps the condition from progressing too far in the source tree. 

What To Do If You Notice A Sick Tree: Seven Tips

So what do you do if you notice a sick tree? Tree care professionals recommend the seven tips below for sick tree treatment. 

#1: Stop Current Pesticide Use

If you’ve recently changed or started using pesticides on or around your trees, stop use immediately if you notice any signs the tree is struggling. 

#2: Water If Necessary 

If your area is in drought, water your trees periodically to prevent disease and sickness from taking hold. 

#3: Halt New Fertilizers 

Stop using any new fertilizers at the first sign of leaf drooping or other issues. Some fertilizer mixes may not be ideal for your tree species or ground conditions. Consult with an expert to find the proper nutrient balance. 

#4: Perform Pest Control 

If your tree suffers from animal or insect infestations, pest control becomes critical for the tree’s health. Avoid potentially harming your tree with DIY pest control and consult with tree and pest control professionals as necessary. 

#5: Aerate Roots

Sometimes, trees appear ill due to overwatering. When possible, aerating the roots of an overwatered tree can help prevent root rot from developing or spreading. 

#6: Trim The Tree

In some cases, removing dead branches can help prevent diseases from taking hold. 

#7: Hire An Expert Tree Service

Any property owner’s best bet for healthy trees lies in experienced tree care professionals. Trust these experts for dependable sick tree treatment every time. 

Schedule a Tree Care Consultation in Alexandria

Now that you know more about sick tree treatment, learn about common tree diseases and more by continuing to browse our blog. 

To get started with professional tree care services, give our G & V team a call today at 703-569-2570.