Root rot is a common cause of tree decay and eventual tree removal this time of year. But what is root rot, and how can a typical homeowner like you tell if your favorite trees are suffering from it? We often get this question, so let’s explore it in today’s blog post.
Ultimately, being a well-informed property owner ensures the best decisions are made regarding your trees and their future health.
What Is Root Rot?
Root rot is a severe fungal disease that attacks a tree’s root system. Any tree can succumb to root rot, which usually happens when the ground and soil at the base of your tree remain overly wet for long periods. This can be because of too much rain in a short period and insufficient sunlight to dry the ground beneath the tree.
As a result, your tree will experience various symptoms that will ultimately shorten its lifespan.
Here are the 7 signs that your tree has root rot. The symptoms are not that much different from other tree diseases and pest problems and can include any of the following:
Stunted growth — Healthy trees show consistent growth year over year. If your tree has root rot, you will notice reduced growth, fewer leaves, and smaller or underdeveloped foliage.
Soft or decaying wood — The bark should be solid and firm to protect the tree. If it’s peeling, flaky, soft to the touch, or cracked, or there are noticeable pieces of bark lying around the base of the tree, there’s a good chance you’ve got root rot.
Wilting or yellowing leaves — When roots decay beneath the surface, leaves will turn yellow, brown, or drop prematurely.
Early leaf drop — Everything is bare compared to the other trees on your property, and the few remaining leaves are brown, crunchy, and hanging by a thread. When a tree sticks out like a sore thumb, it’s likely on its way to that big tree farm in the sky.
Fungal growth at the base — A telltale sign of root rot is the presence of rot and fungus. This usually manifests as root damage, mushrooms, root flare, fungi, and even small but growing holes or cracks in the bark.
Leaning or instability — Some trees naturally lean. That said, it is a problem if your tree looked straight four months ago and now leans heavily to one side. A leaning tree is not only a sign of a dying tree but also presents a significant safety concern since the tree could eventually lean too much and fall on your home, a vehicle, or a person.
Eventual death — Root rot will only get worse if left unattended. This will lead to premature tree death.
Is It Possible To Prevent Root Rot?
Yes, though it will take some work on your part. The first step is to limit overwatering as much as possible. While you can’t stop rain, you can reduce how much you water your lawn—especially this time of year. If the soil beneath your tree isn’t draining correctly or too much water is pooling around the base of your tree, you may want to consider installing a drainage system. You can also call us for tree trimming, thus allowing more sunlight to reach the base of your tree and dry up excess water.
Beyond that, property owners should do their due diligence and regularly monitor their tree's health to catch root rot early.
If root rot has taken hold and compromised the tree’s structural integrity, it may be time to remove it. If left unattended, a tree with severe root rot could collapse and damage nearby structures (e.g., house, gazebo, garage).
We Specialize in Large and Dangerous Tree Removal
If you aren’t sure if you have root rot, it’s best to contact a tree service professional. Certified arborists are masters at getting to the root cause (pun intended) of your tree’s issues and giving you an honest assessment of what should happen next. If the tree needs to be removed, Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal in Lewisville, TX, are experts in quality, efficient, and safe large and dangerous tree removal—no matter if it’s a 10-foot tree next to your garage or a tree that needs to be removed for land-clearing purposes.
More than just mindlessly hacking off a few tree limbs with a chainsaw and hoping for the best, every cut we make has a purpose.
Call Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal Today!
Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal in Lewisville, TX, has served North Texas for over a decade. More importantly, we have the equipment and experience to handle any tree needs safely and efficiently. Don’t believe us? Give us a call today!
There isn’t a tree in Lewisville that we can’t handle. Call Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal today!
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