TREE HEALTH
Tree health is a crucial concern in Texas, where environmental challenges and biological threats place pressure on forests, urban landscapes, and residential trees. Understanding the most important aspects of tree health helps homeowners, land managers, and arborists tackle issues such as invasive species, native insects and diseases, and climatic challenges.
-
Tree diseases like oak wilt and hypoxylon canker cause impacts throughout Texas.
-
Many insects found on trees cause mostly cosmetic damage, but some may be an indicator of more.
-
When looking at a tree issue, inspect the leaves, branches, trunk, and roots to try to narrow down where you notice an issue.
-
It’s important to protect your young trees from damage caused by animals.
Invasive species like the emerald ash borer and laurel wilt have become significant threats, killing native trees and disrupting ecosystems. Additionally, multiple stressors such as native pests, diseases, and environmental factors compound, can lead to the slow weakening and eventual death of trees.
Texas’ extreme climate, with high temperatures and prolonged droughts, intensifies tree stress, reducing their ability to thrive and making them more vulnerable to infestations and diseases.
We all play a significant role in supporting tree health. Our agency works to combat invasive species, manage tree disease outbreaks, and offer guidance on tree care in challenging environments. Through resources like TreeMD, an online diagnostic tool, you can identify tree health issues early and get advice on treatment options.
By leveraging these efforts and tools, you can take proactive steps to protect your trees.
