Archives July 2021

Why Is My Tree Turning Yellow?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Resources, Tree Health Care

One hallmark of summer is the dense, green foliage on broadleaf trees, but less-than-ideal circumstances can cause the rich green of healthy leaves to become pale, yellowish, and translucent. This loss of color is caused by a deficiency in chlorophyll, which is an essential part of a tree’s nutrient-gathering process. While yellowing leaves can be a sign of several different conditions, in North Texas, yellow leaves on a tree that is usually green are most often a sign of iron deficiency (“iron chlorosis”). Since the historic freeze in February 2021, we have seen a higher number of trees exhibiting iron chlorosis, as they are still recovering from freeze damage and related stress, and their ability to get essential nutrients has been compromised. Luckily, most cases of chlorosis can be remedied by soil amendments and correct, targeted fertilization.

Why Are My Tree’s Leaves Yellow?

While it is expected to see pale green or yellowish new leaves on a tree during spring, the color of these young leaves should darken as they mature. By summer, most healthy deciduous trees should exhibit rich, green leaves. (There are some species of tree with naturally red, purple, or other-colored leaves, but these are less common in North Texas.) If a tree never “greens out,” or turns green but starts to fade well before autumn, there is a systemic health issue at play. Dead or dying leaves can turn yellow, but quickly become dark grey or brown. If a tree’s leaves become pale green or yellow, and stay that way, something is preventing the tree from generating enough chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is a naturally-occurring chemical in most plants, and performs an important function in leaves. Chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into usable energy for the plant. Chlorophyll is adapted to absorb as much of the correct type of light as possible, and that chemical makeup causes its green appearance. While other chemicals in the leaves can appear as other colors, in most plants, chlorophyll is present in a higher concentration than other pigments, and so it is the one we most clearly see. For a majority of plants and trees, vivid green leaves are a sign of good health and proper nutrition. When leaves begin to decline and die, as in the fall, the chlorophyll fades and other colors can be seen, which is why we see a leaf color change. Similarly, health issues and stress can make plants’ leaves change colors, as the necessary chemicals become imbalanced.

What Can I Do About Chlorosis (Leaf Yellowing)?

While the underlying cause of leaf yellowing (chlorosis) is chlorophyll deficiency, that deficiency may be caused by a number of factors:

  • Mineral/nutrient deficiency
  • Soil acidity/alkalinity
  • Poor drainage/overwatering
  • Root damage/compaction
  • Herbicide exposure
  • Bacterial/fungal infection

Management of the cause of chlorosis is the key to bringing a tree back to health. While some factors, such as soil pH or previous chemical exposure, may not be easily remedied, drainage issues and nutrient deficiencies can often be successfully resolved. Identification of the exact cause of chlorosis can be tricky, and there may be more than one contributing factor. For a comprehensive assessment, contact an ISA Certified Arborist who can examine not only the tree itself, but the surrounding environment, and can ask the right questions to properly understand the tree’s history. Local certified arborists also have access to plant pathologists and other experts, and may be aware of a widespread issue that is affecting your tree.

A NOTE ABOUT WATERING AND FERTILIZATION

A common knee-jerk reaction to a tree or plant not doing well is to immediately increase watering and start applying fertilizer. If the chlorosis is caused by excess soil moisture, however, more watering can cause even quicker tree decline. Similarly, applying a standard, high-nitrogen fertilizer may bring temporary improvement, but can cause further chemical imbalance in a nutrient-deficient tree and stimulate quick growth that is unsustainable. It is important to understand and address the specific cause of leaf yellowing before taking action. Contact an ISA Certified Arborist for assessment and recommendations, and consider sending a sample to a plant diagnosis lab for the most accurate information.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are seeing post-freeze chlorosis on many trees in North Texas, and are working with the International Society of Arboriculture Texas Chapter as well as experts at Texas A&M University and in the tree care profession to provide the best care for freeze-stressed trees. If you have questions about your trees, freeze-related or not, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tree?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Resources, Tree Removal

With the extensive freeze damage seen in February 2021, many North Texas trees were not able to recover. As a result, with the arrival of Summer 2021, we began recommending removal for many trees that were on the “wait and see” list. A perennial question, “how much does it cost to remove a tree?” became one we started hearing multiple times a day.

Like with many other tree care services, removal costs can vary greatly, as every tree is different. It is practically impossible to give an accurate removal quote from a photo or description of a tree, as the factors that contribute to removal cost are many. In order to give an accurate price quote for complete tree removal, a visit to the site is always necessary.

What are the Factors Determine Tree Removal Cost?

Tree removals can cost anywhere from $10 to $10,000, depending on a number of specific factors:

  • Tree Species

    • Some trees have especially hard wood or are prone to weak joints, affecting the time and precautions taken in removal.
    • Trees with thorns are more difficult to remove.
    • The type of bark a tree has (smooth or rough, thin or thick) affects the ability to secure climbing, safety, and hoisting ropes and other hardware.
    • Palm “trees” (technically more closely related to grasses) are structurally different from other trees and require different removal techniques.

  • Tree Health

    • Dead trees are inherently more dangerous to remove than living ones.
      • As the wood dies and dries out, it can become unpredictably brittle and breakable.
    • The presence of rot, fungus, or other infections can lead to tree weakness and breakage.
    • Instability at the base of a tree can make climbing it impossible, necessitating the use of a crane or bucket truck, which can greatly increase removal price.
    • Palms can be more easily affected by rot-related instabilities, leading to bending or drooping and making removal difficult.

  • Location and Drop Zones

    • Where a tree is located on a property (proximity to structures/wires, accessibility) determines how long a removal can take.
      • The need to move debris a long way greatly increases job duration.
    • The immediate area around the base of the tree (the “drop zone”) is critical to a safe removal.
      • If a tree is crowded by other plants or close to structures, drop zones can be greatly restricted.
    • As with structural instabilities, tree location can dictate whether climbing is possible or whether heavy equipment and other machinery must be used for removal.

  • Debris Haul-Off

    • If debris from the tree removal is able to be left on-site for municipal removal or other use, removal cost can be significantly less.
    • Private tree companies must either recycle wood debris themselves or pay to dump wood waste at a landfill or recycling facility.
      • Depending on the particulars of the removed tree, the wood may be useful for firewood or other recycling or may be afflicted with rot or other defects, making it unusable.

While many of these factors, such as location and health issues, may be outside of the immediate control of the tree owner, stability issues always increase over time. Waiting to remove a dead or diseased tree increases not only the risk of injury and property damage, but also the cost to remove it. If you have a tree you think might need to be removed, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist as soon as possible to have the tree evaluated.

The cost of tree removal can range into the tens of thousands of dollars, and is no small expense. Before contracting a company to remove your tree, be sure to ask for an explanation of their removal methods and safety precautions. If you are concerned about property damage or other issues, ask for a certificate of liability insurance to make sure that you will not be held responsible for any unforeseen costs. Finally, be wary of tree removal companies that ask for payment up front. Don’t make a down payment without a written contract and avoid companies who are not bonded or who refuse to disclose their insurance information.

A NOTE ABOUT STUMP GRINDING

Even after the above ground material of a tree is removed, an extensive underground stump and root system can remain. When soliciting bids for complete tree removal, be sure to ask about options for dealing with the stump and roots.

One common method for reducing underground tree material is stump grinding. Stump grinding can level the former site of a tree to allow for sod installation or planting beds. However, even with stump grinding, re-planting another tree in the same location is not recommended. For more info on stump grinding, visit this page.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While we do what we can to preserve our urban forest, we know that removal is sometimes necessary. We offer a transparent quote process and written estimates for every job; your arborist is always available to answer any questions you have about tree removal procedures, precautions, and costs. We use highly-skilled and trained climbers who are able to remove just about any tree, large or small, without the use of cranes or other heavy equipment. We quote removal cost and stump grinding separately so that our customers can prioritize what is important to them. Depending on location and time of year, we may be able to offer a discount for debris stacking or alternate haul-off options. Have a tree that might need to come down? Don’t wait! Schedule a visit from one of our ISA Certified Arborists today!