A quick walk around your trees can help you spot problems before they become bigger ones.

Take five minutes every few weeks — and especially after severe weather — to give your trees a quick check.

LOOK UP- Check the branches and crown.

• Are there dead, broken or hanging branches?
• Are any branches rubbing or crossing?
• Do you see anything that looks unsafe or unusual?

LOOK AT THE TRUNK- Check the tree’s main structure.

• Are there cracks, cavities or wounds?
• Is bark loose, damaged or missing?
• Any boring insect holes?
• Do you notice anything unusual on the trunk?

LOOK AT THE LEAVES- Check for changes.

• Is there unusual discoloration?
• Are leaves wilting, curling, spotting or dropping early?
• Any yellow or light green leaves?
• Do you see insects, webbing or other signs of pests?

LOOK AT THE BASE- Check the area around the trunk.

• Are there mushrooms or other signs of decay?
• Is the trunk damaged near the soil line?
• Is mulch piled against the trunk?

LOOK AROUND THE ROOTS-Check the soil and root zone.

• Is the soil compacted?
• Has the area around the tree been disturbed or damaged?
• Are roots exposed, damaged or unusually visible?

SOMETHING DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT?

Don’t ignore it.

Tree problems are often easier to address when they're caught early.

Visit TreeHelp.com for practical information and reference materials to help you understand what you're seeing and what to do next.

TreeHelp.com