Healthy trees give shade, beauty and value. A tree in trouble can quickly become a safety risk, especially in Canberra's storms. Here are five warning signs to look for, how to check them and what to do.
1. Large areas of bark loss or peeling bark
Bark protects the wood that carries water and nutrients. Big cracks, open wounds or flaking patches are a serious warning. Fungal cankers and wood-boring insects both attack weak trees. Look for sawdust-like frass and small exit holes. A simple scratch test on a twig helps: bright green underneath means alive, brown and brittle means dead.
2. Leaning, lifting soil or root damage
A tree that suddenly leans, soil heaving around the base, exposed roots or fungus at the root flare all point to root failure. Construction, trenching and waterlogging are common causes. A lean with lifting soil is an emergency, so keep clear and call us.
3. A thinning canopy
Thin, discoloured or undersized leaves, or leaves dropping early, show a tree struggling to move water and nutrients. Borers and bark beetles tunnel under the bark and can girdle a tree. Look for exit holes, frass at the base, oozing sap and bark falling away.
4. Fungus and internal decay
Shelf-like brackets on the trunk, root flare or roots can mean months or years of rot inside. A tree can be hollow while it still looks fine from outside. Extensive decay usually means the tree is no longer structurally sound.
5. Lots of deadwood and brittle branches
Some deadwood is normal. A lot of it is a falling hazard. If half or more of the canopy has died back, the tree may be dying. Dieback on one side can point to root damage or borers.
What to do
- Minor stress: mulch, water deeply and keep an eye on it
- Moderate problems: get an arborist to look at treatment or pruning
- High hazard: leaning, heaving soil or exposed roots need an immediate assessment
- Terminal: no green tissue or major decay means planned removal
Not sure what you are looking at? Send us a photo or book a free site evaluation.
Need a hand? Call 02 6105 9997 or request a free quote.
Related Canberra tree services
Need help? We offer Tree Removal, Tree Pruning & Trimming. Local pages: Tree service Garran, Tree service Greenway, Tree service Florey, Tree service Hackett, or all areas we service.