Before the Leaves Fall: Take One Good Look at Your Trees

We're getting closer to the time of year when Pennsylvania trees begin dropping their leaves—but before they do, take a few minutes to look up.

Late summer and early fall can reveal a lot about how a tree handled the growing season.

One Section Is Losing Leaves Early

A few early leaves aren't necessarily cause for concern. But if one large branch or an entire section of the canopy looks noticeably different from the rest of the tree, it's worth paying attention.

Uneven leaf loss, dead sections, thinning foliage, or unusual discoloration can sometimes indicate stress, disease, insect activity, or declining limbs.

You Can See Dead Branches More Clearly

Compare branches while healthy foliage is still present. A bare or dead limb surrounded by otherwise leafy branches tends to stand out much more now than it will once the entire tree is bare.

This is especially important for branches hanging over homes, driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, or other frequently used spaces.

Check the Trunk and Base, Too

Don't only look at the canopy.

Take a look around the trunk and base of the tree for cracks, cavities, mushrooms or fungal growth, damaged bark, hanging limbs, or changes that weren't there earlier in the season.

None of these automatically means a tree needs to be removed, but they can be good reasons to have it evaluated.

And Yes, Keep an Eye Out for Spotted Lanternflies

Spotted lanternflies are still active in Pennsylvania, and adults become especially noticeable in late summer. As fall progresses, they also begin laying egg masses on trees and many other outdoor surfaces.

Seeing spotted lanternflies doesn't automatically mean a tree is dying. They are considered a stressor, however, and heavily affected or already-stressed trees may warrant a closer look.

Your Trees Just Went Through an Entire Growing Season

Spring isn't the only time to evaluate your trees.

By September, they've been through months of storms, wind, heat, insects, disease pressure, and summer growth. Sometimes the signs of a problem are much easier to spot now than they were several months ago.

Before the leaves disappear, walk your property and look up. You may notice something you haven't seen all summer.

See something that doesn't look right? ProMark Tree Service can evaluate the tree and help determine whether pruning, removal, or simply keeping an eye on it is the best next step.