If a landscape tree dies, the property owner knows they have to get rid of it. But what if your tree is dead only on one side? If your plant has leaves on one section, you’ll need to figure out why you have a half-dead tree.
By understanding why your tree is expiring, you can take the necessary measures to save it from falling and triggering severe damage to your home and landscape. While a half-dead tree may be deteriorating due to a host of conditions, the odds are your tree has one of many significant root problems. Keep reading to learn more.
Reasons for a Half Dead Tree
Pests could create significant damage to trees, but they never attack just one part of a tree. Likewise, tree diseases typically destroy or damage a tree’s whole canopy instead of only half.
When you inspect a tree with leaves on just one side, it’s probably not due to leaf or insect disease. The exemption may be a tree close to a fence or border wall where its top could be eaten by livestock or deer on one side. If you have a one-side dead tree, it’s time to contact an arborist.
You possibly have a root issue. This problem could be due to a “girdling root which is a root that is bound firmly around the trunk under the soil line.
A girdling root stops the stream of nutrients and water from the roots to the limbs. If this occurs on one side of the tree, one-half of the tree perishes, leaving the tree looking somewhat dead. A tree professional could eliminate a portion of the soil near the tree’s roots to examine if this is your issue. If so, it might be possible to chop the roots in the dormant season.
Other Causes for Half Dead Tree
Various types of fungi may cause one tree side to look dead. The most widespread is verticillium wilt and root rot. These are pathogens that reside in the soil and affect the transport of vitamins and water. These fungi might produce the deterioration or death of the tree.
Phytophthora root rot is essentially in badly drained soils and creates cankers or water-soaked, dark spots on the tree’s base. Verticillium wilt typically affects limbs on just one tree area, resulting in dead limbs and yellowing leaves.
By taking quick action when you see the weakening of your tree or a part of it, you raise the chance of saving the tree and bringing it back to its healthy state.
When you disregard the symptoms of infestation or disease, your tree can swiftly regress and die. Trees not treated are more liable to fall in adverse weather, producing devastating damages when landing on automobiles, properties, humans, and pets.
If you have a half-dead tree and want help getting rid of the affecting disease, call Buffalo Tree Service for assistance.