Preventive Vs. Reactive Tree Care

It’s very common for a homeowner to wait for an issue to develop before taking action. Unfortunately, waiting until a problem becomes visible can wind up being very costly and destructive. A perfect example of this might be the roof of your house. Waiting for a leak to develop before replacing roofing materials can lead to far more costly and disruptive repairs. Being proactive about roof replacement can save you a lot of suffering—and ultimately, money. Similarly, being proactive with caring for your more highly valued trees can save you money— and perhaps more importantly, the heartache of losing that special tree.

Tree stress and boring insects are examples of tree-related issues that can be addressed proactively. Both issues are difficult to identify before critical damage levels are reached. Given this, proactive attention is recommended for highly valued trees susceptible to one or both agents.

Weather plays a large role in tree stress. Excessively dry or wet weather and untimely cold snaps have all contributed to tree stress in Southeast Wisconsin over the past ten years. For many of us, the soil around our yards has been compacted and modified during the construction of our homes. Left unmitigated, this degraded and compacted soil can also negatively impact the long-term health of our trees.

Adding insult to injury, boring insects usually attack stressed trees, taking advantage of their weakened state. Most feed on a tree’s conductive tissue, located just under the bark. This covert feeding can remain completely undetected while interrupting water and nutrient uptake, ultimately killing the tree.

Evidence of tree stress and boring insects often remains unnoticed by most homeowners since the foliage of affected trees can continue to look healthy for several years. Typical observers only identify that there is an issue present once the damage has reached a critical level. By this point, it may be expensive, or even too late, to intervene. Administering preventative care measures before obvious signs of a problem become evident is usually more efficient and often yields better long-term results.

If you have trees on your property that hold special or sentimental value, contact Wachtel Tree Science to schedule an appointment with your ISA Certified Arborist. Together you and your arborist can review these trees to identify individuals more at risk while searching for subtle signs of stress or boring insects. After a brief discussion and assessment, you can take steps for the appropriate care and management of these trees.

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