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Zombie trees appear to be thriving and look healthy, but are actually dying from the inside out. Fall is the best time of year to look for signs of distress after the leaves have fallen off a tree's branches. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
Cankers, sunken or dead areas on a tree’s bark could be a sign that your tree is unhealthy. Photo courtesy Getty Images.

July is the perfect time to give your trees a midyear checkup. By inspecting your trees, you can catch potential issues early and take appropriate action to keep them healthy and thriving during the region’s warm, dry months. 

These tree checks don’t have to be very in-depth or time consuming, but they can make all the difference in how your trees perform.  A midyear tree check typically requires a simple, hands-off visual assessment of your trees to spot anything that could be wrong.

Here’s what to look for during your tree check:

Check for signs of pests

  • Common signs include yellowing or browning of leaves or deformed leaves that are curled or have unusual spots or holes.
  • Small holes around the base of the tree or on the bark can indicate borers or beetles are present.

Check for visible disease or physical damage

  • Look for cankers, sunken or dead areas on the bark or branches, and sections of the tree that are wilting or dying back.
  • Fungal growths around the base of the tree or on the trunk can indicate internal rot or decay.
  • Leaf scorch, browning or scorched leaf edges can result from insufficient water or root damage, but could also be a sign of disease.

General maintenance check

  • Check the mulch around your trees to ensure it’s not too thick and is providing proper moisture retention without causing fungal issues.
  • Make sure your trees are receiving adequate water. Look for signs of drought stress, such as wilting, browning or leaf drop.
  • Look for signs of mechanical damage from lawn equipment, animals or human activity. Broken branches or bark injuries can be entry points for pests and diseases.

George Reno is a local arborist at The Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park, which serves communities on the Peninsula, including Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto and Redwood City. If you have a tree-related question, email lifestyle@EmbarcaderoMedia or post in the comments section at the end of this column. 

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