Healthy trees are an investment for many generations. They provide shade, block wind, attract wildlife, add appeal and value to thousands of Connecticut homes, businesses and public spaces.
Many trees stand tall and proud for decades, sometimes with care and maintenance behind them, other-times through luck and circumstance.
What can be said is that the trees we often so admire are subject to a lot of abuse in their lifetime, and if we want them to be there for the future, we need to be aware of how best to care for them.
What are the most common tree problems here in Connecticut?
Beech Leaf Disease
This disease came to Connecticut in 2019 and was first discovered on the Mianus River between Stamford and Greenwich. It attracts American and European beech trees causing discoloration – dark green early in the season and then a yellow appearance and unusual stripes on leaves later in the season.
Beech Leaf Disease can lead to reduced leaf production and premature leaf drop as well as an overall reduction in canopy cover. If the disease is allowed to progress then sapling sized trees can die out within 2-5 years, large trees within 6 years.
The disease tends to begin at the top of trees and works its way down. For this reason it can be hard to notice immediately from the ground.
The disease tends to begin at the top of trees and works its way down. For this reason it can be hard to notice immediately from the ground.
Emerald Ash Borer Disease
This nasty disease was first found in CT in 2012 and is particularly bad news for ash tree native to America. Trees are subject to mass attacks from beetles and often when signs of damage are noticed it’s too late. The key with this disease is to be proactive and have checkups from experienced arborists. According to the CT Post, every ash tree in the state could die within 10 years.
Tree struck by lightning
Trees are common targets for lightning. And in storm prone CT, lightning is not unheard of. When struck, lightning can destroy a tree completely, cause it to catch fire or leave damage which makes it more susceptible to insect infestation. Lightning can also split and shatter trunks, branches and blow soil and pavement from under or above the tree root.
Lightning can be a big problem to trees!
A solution to protect your tree(s) is to install a form of lightning protection. This works by creating a line from the top of the tree down to the ground where the electrical charge dissipates.
Timely treatment for lightning damaged trees is important to increase their chance of survival. Visible damage may not be clear for up to a year after a strike, so it is important to schedule an inspection from a licensed arborist as soon as convenient.
Blown over tree / cracked branches
Strong winds can be bad news for overgrown trees, causing them to crack and collapse entirely. With regular storms and strong winds in the North East it’s vital to keep a pruned tree to safeguard against its long-term health.
Professional pruning helps to thin out the tree so that the wind can pass through the branches more freely – so there’s less chance of causing strain and knocking it down.
Heavy snowfall
Heavy Connecticut snowfall can pile on-top of trees and lead to cracks, breakages and falling trees.
Preventative maintenance can help to protect against damage to your tree and the surrounding area. The common standard technique is to use cabling and bracing to reduce strain on individual limbs so that they can withstand the weight of heavy snow.
Most tree problems can be prevented. If you need help caring for a tree in the New Haven, Connecticut area, get in contact with Madd Beaver Tree and Stump Grinding Experts. We have worked on thousands of trees over our careers, there’s not much we haven’t seen! We have all the equipment you need to care for trees big and small.