After seeing curling leaves or discolored bark, you might need to call professionals offering tree services in Carlton, OR, for an inspection. Determining whether a tree has a disease can be difficult for homeowners. Instead, learning how certified arborists diagnose a tree disease gives you confidence in treatment recommendations from these professionals.
A Professional Starts With an Inspection of the Branches and Leaves
One of the first professional tree health assessment techniques the arborist will deploy is a thorough inspection. They may use climbing equipment or a bucket truck to reach the upper canopy. Some diseases occur only in specific portions of the tree, making them difficult to identify from the ground in some cases.
From there, professionals can examine the leaves and smaller branches, looking for signs of fungal infections, such as discolorations or cracks in the bark. Some diseases affect larger sections of the canopy, resulting in stunted growth or wilting leaves. Such problems are easier to see when performing an up-close inspection.
A large group of insects in the canopy where odd growth is occurring may also indicate a disease.
A Certified Arborist Examines the Roots and Soil for Signs of Disease
When diagnosing a tree disease, certified arborists need to examine the roots. They might study those extending out of the ground, or they might dig into the soil to inspect some of the shallower ones.
Through a soil analysis, professionals can also determine whether the tree is at a heightened risk for disease. If the soil near the trunk is not draining properly or is highly compacted, the tree may be under stress, rendering it susceptible.
In certain circumstances, the certified arborists might deploy ground-penetrating radar or similar tools to determine whether the roots are healthy.
A Professional Uses Tools To Measure the Integrity of the Trunk and Bark
When arborists suspect a disease, they might take a core sample of the trunk. The tool that takes the core sample is extremely small so that it won’t cause further damage to the tree. By testing the core, arborists can determine whether any decay is occurring inside the trunk. Soft wood in the trunk is often a sign of disease.
They might also inspect the trunk beneath any loose bark for signs of fungal growth. If the bark isn’t loose, the core sample can provide this information.
Trust Oregon Arborist for an Accurate Diagnosis of Any Problems With Your Trees
When you need a tree disease diagnosis by professionals, Oregon Arborist is ready to serve you. Don’t try to diagnose a tree disease yourself. If you are seeing tree health issues, experts can identify exactly what is happening. When you trust a certified arborist for tree health to determine the right treatment plan, your plants will have the best chance at a full recovery.
For an expert tree inspection in Carlton, OR, contact our team today at (503) 899-4166. We offer free price quotes for all of our services.