Before you seek counsel on your tree problems, try to answer the following questions.  Answering these questions will help professional arborists diagnose the problem with your tree.  There are many other questions that can be asked, but these will help get you started.

• How long have you had the tree?

• When did it start showing symptoms?

• How fast have the symptoms progressed?

• What are the symptoms of the tree?

• Was the tree planted too deep?

• Is the tree native to your area?

• What type of soil do you have?

• Have you done anything different lately? (watering, fertilizer, chemicals)

• Do you water and/or fertilize it properly?

• Do you over-water the tree?

• Do you think it could be drought related?

• Have you used any chemicals around/on the tree?

• Does the bark look different?

• Is there any discoloration below the bark?

• Is there fungi growing on the trunk or beneath the bark?

• Are there any cracks or cankers in the trunk or limbs?

• Did you notice any dieback in the branches before it shed its leaves for the season?

• Have you noticed that other similar trees in the area have the same problems?

• Any gas leaks nearby?

• Have you noticed any unusual insects on or near the tree?

• Any other observations?

We've compiled some great tree diseases websites.

City of Fort Worth, Parks & Community Services Department, Forestry Section
Texas Forest Service
International Society of Arboriculture
National Arbor Day Foundation
U.S. Forest Service
Texas A&M University Horticulture
Texas AgriLife Extension 
West Virginia University Extension Service Penn State Department of Plant Pathology

 

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