Trees live for hundreds of years in perfect conditions and with proper care. However, without both, they are vulnerable to tree decay that can rapidly kill them without treatment.

Here, we’ll show you how to identify tree decay and where to go for professional decay and rot removal.

Most Common Signs of Tree Decay

There are many forms of tree decay, each with distinct symptoms. However, these are the most common, and if you spot any of them, it’s essential to call a tree care service immediately to stop the damage.

• Decayed wood
• Cracks in the trunk
• Small, insect-sized holes in the bark
• Fungus or discoloration
• Peeling or unusually soft bark 

1) Scour for Visible Decay and Fungus

The best way to prevent tree decay is to catch it early before it becomes something untreatable. Unfortunately, even if you take excellent care of your plants, diseases from insects or the environment will creep in and wreak havoc, so proper monitoring is a crucial part of tree maintenance.

Luckily, most types of tree decay have clear visible indicators. While you might need to remove small sections of your tree’s limbs, bark, or trunk to see them, others will be visible on the exterior.

2) Watering, Fertilizing, and Regular Pruning

While trees aren’t as fickle as common house plants, they still need regular watering and fertilizing to avoid tree decay. However, you must be careful with how you approach essential tree care to grow a perfectly healthy tree; otherwise, you might unintentionally disease your plant life.

The best place to water trees is a few feet out from the trunk so that the entire root system receives adequate hydration. Additionally, you won’t be able to use the same fertilizer for all tree species, and researching your plant’s needs beforehand will help you stave off tree decay. Pruning your tree’s decayed branches can also eliminate disease, but improper pruning will only remove limbs without destroying the infection.

3) DNA Testing

Rapid DNA tests for plants are a modern evolution in tree health care that accurately identifies decay in trees within minutes. Plant specialists favor DNA testing over typical tree decay diagnosing methods for a few reasons, but accuracy is the most crucial. Though specialists primarily use tree DNA tests to identify unknown tree species, these handy devices also recognize all bacteria, bugs, or decay-causing fungi hidden within the trunk.

The other significant advantage of DNA testing is that you won’t have to harm the tree to uncover its issues. While other tree decay preventions force you to remove bark or parts of the trunk and potentially permanently damage mature trees, DNA tests are minimally-invasive. Then, once you know what is causing the tree decay, you can call a professional arborist to remedy the illness.

4) Plant Health Care Programs

Identifying and eliminating tree decay before it claims your plant life is challenging, even when you know the symptoms and treatment methods. However, plant health care programs ensure you don’t have to do it alone. Professional teams can regularly test your tree’s health for you and correct diseases or decay, and Ace Tree Service is the best team in California for the job.

Our expert tree company in Rocklin monitors and salvages trees across the city so busy home and business owners don’t have to tend to complex plant care on their own. Our expert crew combines years of experience and unbeatable tree knowledge for the best plant health care work in California.

Call Ace Tree Service at (916) 934-3204 for professional tree decay prevention and treatment. Our team will keep your trees alive and thriving, and if you’re dealing with a burned tree on your property you cannot salvage, we’ll help with that too.