How to tell if your tree is still alive

It is important to always check the health of your trees. Brown leaves, brittle branches, failing to produce fruit and wounds in the trunk are just a few of the signs that your tree may be suffering in silence. More extreme issues can include but are not limited to; a smell of rotten wood and fallen branches or branches that are coming away from the tree. Early intervention is key to ensuring the survival of the trees in your garden.

check the health of your trees.

The first way to check the health of your tree is to scratch the bark on the tree. If it is showing green growth underneath, this is evidence that the tree is still alive and may just be in a dormant state. This can be a particularly useful technique in long Winters and cold Springs for checking the health of the tree/trees if they are late blooming. Alternatively, if the bark is brown and brittle, there is a high chance that the tree, or at least that part of the tree, is dead.

If your tree is dormant, one way to improve its health and growth is to apply a tree specific feed. This can help your tree to grow to its full size and to live longer.

If you are particularly concerned about your trees’ health and would like to have your trees assessed, our sister company ProHort Limited can provide you a tree survey. Designed to assess the general health of the trees, a tree survey is conducted by a qualified arboricultural surveyor. Upon completion of the survey, you will be provided with a detailed report stating the trees’ identity (common and Latin name), health, approximate age and estimated remaining contribution (i.e., how long the tree is likely to remain healthy). You can find out more about tree surveys on the ProHort website.

If you would like to arrange for a feed to be applied to your tree, or for some expert advice from our arboricultural experts, why not get in contact? We look forward to hearing from you!