Trees help create a welcoming, professional commercial landscape and are often the most visible and valuable assets within it. Regular tree health monitoring is essential for identifying early signs of disease and taking preventive action before problems escalate.
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It’s helpful to understand common tree diseases and their symptoms and how proactive monitoring can protect your trees and enhance the overall health of your landscape.
Common tree diseases
Tree diseases vary based on multiple factors, including your region and its soil type as well as the type of tree itself. For example, in regions with clay-based soil, it can be harder for many types of shrubs and trees to establish roots, which can create a host of health problems.
But there are some universal tree issues a trusted commercial landscaping partner can work with you to address, including:
Pest infestations: From aphids to borers, your trees can be susceptible to various pests. It may not always be easy to spot them from a distance, but parasites like aphids can be revealed with a closer look. They often appear as an ashy coating on the leaves, and by simply shaking them over a white piece of paper, they become immediately visible.
Iron deficiency. If you spot a tree with yellowing leaves next to others that are vibrant and green, it’s likely the tree is struggling with an iron deficiency known as iron chlorosis, which occurs when trees don’t get sufficient iron to produce chlorophyll and maintain healthy leaves.
Fungal, bacterial or viral infections. These types of tree diseases can lead to discoloration, a loss of leaves or even dieback, where the tree’s leaves begin to die first, working backward toward the roots.
Several factors can impact the health of your trees beyond disease. Poor drainage can weaken them, making them more vulnerable to pests and infections, while root damage or wounds—often caused by storms or lightning strikes—can further compromise their stability. Your commercial landscaping partner can work with you to monitor your trees’ health and make recommendations for taking action to either preserve or remove them when needed.
Symptoms of tree disease
Symptoms of tree disease (like discoloration or wilting leaves) are often immediately noticeable. Other common symptoms of problems in trees include:
- Dying branches: Dead or dying branches can indicate a nutrient deficiency, a lack of water or potential disease.
- Leaning trees: This can be a sign of a structural problem for the tree that should be promptly addressed not only for its health but also to prevent a safety issue for your property.
- Fungal growth or peeling bark. If a tree is missing bark or fungal growth is visible on its trunk, it’s a clear sign of an issue that should be addressed to prevent it from spreading.
Protection through proactive monitoring
Early detection and proper treatment are vital for preventing severe damage as well as the spread of tree diseases across your property. Through proactive monitoring and maintenance, your commercial landscaping partner can help keep your trees in top condition through a few key services:
Pruning. While pruning lower branches is often the priority for commercial properties, maintaining and thinning the canopy is just as important for safety. An overly heavy canopy can become a hazard, increasing the risk of the tree toppling over. Proper canopy pruning also supports tree health by preventing branches from rubbing together, which can create open wounds that leave the tree vulnerable to insects and disease.
Pest control. Effective pest control starts with early detection. When insecticide is applied to the soil, it takes two to three weeks for the treatment to travel through the roots, up the trunk and into the canopy, where visible results begin to appear.
Fertilization. Proper fertilization is critical for keeping your trees strong and resilient and can also be helpful for treating conditions like iron deficiency or aphid infestations.
Irrigation. While trees tend to be heartier and more self-sustaining than other flora, during the long summer months or other intense periods of drought, irrigation is essential to preventing problems that stress your trees and leave them susceptible to disease and insect infestations.
Root stimulators. Root stimulators can help build healthy root systems in your trees. Plus, they can be especially beneficial for reducing shock and encouraging growth after a tree has been transplanted.
Replacement. Tree varieties that are prone to storm damage should be assessed and considered for replacement with types that are more appropriate for soil and weather conditions in your area.
What to look for in a commercial landscaping partner
While your commercial landscaping partner should continuously monitor the health of your trees, they should also perform a property walkthrough at least quarterly to document potential issues or opportunities that can be addressed over time based on your goals and budget. For more extreme issues that arise, your partner should have partnerships with arborists they can bring in for their professional insights and services as needed. And above all, your commercial landscaping partner should be experienced, with coverage that ensures they can provide service when and where you need it.
Trust Chain Store Maintenance to care for your commercial landscape
Looking for a landscaping partner to keep your trees in top condition? Consider Chain Store Maintenance - an MCS company. Our hybrid service model ensures we can effectively meet all your commercial landscaping needs, regardless of where your properties are located. Our technology platform connects with many other systems for an integrated experience, and our unparalleled approach to customer and service partner management ensures work verification, accountability and service quality. Contact Chain Store Maintenance today to learn more.
