If you have a tree or several of them in your garden, you will want to ensure their wellbeing. However, often you may see brown leaves or stunted growth, along with a wide range of other symptoms of unhealthy trees. Surely the last thing you want to see from a tree survey is that your plants are having problems.

Dealing with issues on your trees should be of utmost importance, as these plants add great value to your home. Knowing how to address the most common problems with trees can help you out immensely. Following is a list of issues that your trees may encounter and how you can treat them:

Soil compaction – soil compaction is a common occurrence in many properties. When trees grow in compacted soil, they don’t develop strong roots and may even stunt their growth. Unfortunately, compaction is not always avoidable. Increased human traffic, vehicles being parked nearby and construction work. What is more, it is likely that soil compaction had occurred when your home was built, so it is not something you can easily avoid. However, you can amend compaction by mixing good quality organic matter and also employing vertical mulching.

Reduced nutrients and mineral recycling – lack of nutrients is another common occurrence for trees that share the land with a well-developed lawn and other plants. The main difference between trees in your yard and trees in the forest is that the latter take advantage from a layer of decomposing leaves. However, that is not the case in your garden, where you likely clear out the area from any plant debris that ends up there. The presence of grass is also a significant factor for this because it outcompetes trees for water and nutrients. The way to remedy this is to fertilise the tree properly and apply mulch. Begin composting today and apply a layer to replenish the nutrients in the soil.

Pests – if your trees are stressed, they are more likely to become the target of pests. This occurs when trees are not planted in the proper location, they don’t get enough resources and nutrients. To treat pests and diseases, it pays to remain vigilant and spot them early on, before they have had the chance to develop. Since pests and illnesses vary much and there is no one solution for all, it is essential to consult with an arborist for the right course of action.

Root restriction – the roots of a mature tree can expand quite a bit. Often, there is not enough space for them to grow, or there is some obstacle: buildings, sidewalks, roads, etc. What you can do is properly feed trees with enough nutrients and improve soil health. Be on the lookout for girdling roots, as they can cause a lot of trouble. Ask your arborist for ways to remedy the problem.

There are quite a few problems that trees may develop, and these were just some of the most common ones. Remember to talk to your arboricultural consultants, if you are having trouble.