The top of your tree died and you never even noticed. Can you do anything about it? Our team at Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care, a tree trimming company in New London, CT, explores the reasons behind your specimen’s decline below.
Why Is the Top of Your Tree Dead?
Trees limit the amount of resources that go to the crown for several reasons. This causes them to lose foliage from the top down. This process, called apical decline, occurs when the specimen suppresses or stops supporting nonessential growths. The branches and leaves it continues nourishing are more necessary to the tree’s well-being, and take priority over any additional tissues.
What causes apical decline that often leads to dying tree tops? Let’s look at the reasons below.
Dehydration Makes Treetops Die
Trees require gallons and gallons of water to thrive. Sturdy, mature trees might last longer than saplings or weakened specimens. But all specimens, no matter their health and age, will eventually succumb to drought conditions.
An ongoing drought might affect your towering trees’ ability to support new growth. You might notice the treetops dying back as each specimen allocates moisture to the trunk and main branches.
Poor Root Health Can Also Contribute
If the top of your dead tree, it might have to do with the condition of the root systems. Crown dieback is a common tactic trees use to survive and compensate for other concerns. When the root system sustains injuries or becomes stressed, the tree will divert nutrients and water to the roots instead of the crown.
The tree depends on its roots for nutrients and hydration. The crown won’t exist if the root system dies off. The crown is expendable compared to the tree’s intricate below-ground network.
Pests and Disease May Attack the Uppermost Leaves
Sometimes, the tree has no problem accessing water and nutrients. But it might get sick, leading to leaf and branch mortality. After all, plentiful natural resources can only do so much to combat aggressive pests, fungi, and bacteria, especially if the tree previously sustained an injury.
Both pests and diseases often leave other evidence of their presence:
- Fungal growths on dead or dying wood, especially near the tree’s base
- Discoloration and slimy spots on the trunk
- Holes and tunnels from boring into the wood
What To Do About Dying Tree Tops
Fortunately, a qualified arborist can often treat canopy loss and defoliation and encourage future healthy growth. The arborist may recommend watering and fertilizing to strengthen the root system and offer enough resources for the rest of the tree. You can also schedule trimming services to get rid of the dead wood.
Protect Your Trees From Common Causes of Death With Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care in New London, Connecticut
Is the top of your tree dead? Contact us for tree health services in New London, Connecticut. You can also call Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care at 860-266-0494. Our certified arborist will perform tree checkups. Stable Trader
