Trees are an essential part of life in Oregon. They contribute to our state's natural beauty as well as its economy and environment. About half of Oregon is forested land, and there are an estimated 2.9 million private-property trees in Portland alone.

Taking care of your property's trees is an essential part of maintaining a home or business. But what are some signs and symptoms of a tree in need of attention? How do you know when it’s time to call in a professional arborist?

In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most common situations when you need to call a certified arborist in Oregon.

1. Leaning trees

While most trees won't grow perfectly straight, a significant tilt can be a sign of disease or structural damage — especially if it seems to develop or worsen quickly. Leaving a leaning tree untreated not only impacts the health of the tree itself but can also increase the risk of it falling and resulting in personal or property damage.

A qualified arborist will be able to inspect your tree and determine if it’s a cause for concern. While a severely leaning tree may need to be removed, it can often be saved with cabling and bracing.

2. Sick trees

Trees can suffer from pests, disease, and environmental stress. It’s a good idea to contact a certified arborist as soon as you notice signs of tree sickness, rather than waiting until the problem worsens and begins to spread.

Signs and symptoms of a sick tree include:

Wilting
Yellowing or spotted leaves
Moldy or fuzzy patches
Brown leaves and needles
Spotted or discolored fruits and/or bark
Holes in leaves
Dead or falling branches
Tilting or leaning

3. Trees damaged by construction

From installing a driveway to renovating your home to altering your landscape, construction work can have a major impact on the health and well-being of your trees. Moderate to large-scale construction sites can disrupt root systems and damage surrounding soil. This prevents trees from getting vital nutrients that keep them healthy and strong.

Heavy-duty equipment can also make contact with tree trunks and branches, leading to cracks, splits, and infections. Calling an arborist for an inspection after major construction is a good idea, especially if you’ve noticed new damage to your trees.

4. Trees damaged by weather

Extreme weather can present a serious risk to the overall condition of your trees. Whether a major storm has come through or you’re just dealing with the daily wear and tear that comes with cold winter months, it’s not uncommon to see fallen branches or damaged bark caused by ice or wind. That’s why it’s important to get your trees inspected after a storm and take extra health and safety precautions when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

5. Overgrown trees

tree pruning oregon tree care

Large trees on private residences need to be properly trimmed. Not only does regular pruning keep your trees strong and healthy, but it also improves safety and protects your home and family from potential hazards and tree emergencies.

Trees growing near your home, vehicles, or essential systems like power lines should be closely monitored and pruned more regularly. But every tree should get routine trims from time to time. A well-pruned tree is more beautiful, stronger, healthier, more resistant to disease, less susceptible to damage, and ultimately less expensive!

6. Planting a new tree

Planting new trees on your property is a wonderful way to add value and beauty to your home, provide privacy from neighbors, and contribute to the health and beauty of the natural environment. When it comes to tree planting, especially for bigger and more mature trees, a professional arborist will be able to help you plan more effectively for the long-term health and value of your landscape.

7. Removing an old tree

At Oregon Tree Care, our focus is keeping your trees healthy, strong, and beautiful while improving safety on your property. We never decide to remove a tree lightly. But in some cases, tree removal is the right choice. A tree should be removed if it’s in danger of causing serious issues like:

Property damage
Physical injury
Loss of an otherwise healthy tree nearby
Costly liability and insurance premium increases

Tree removal should always be performed by a certified Arborist. Our Portland tree removal services are focused on preserving community, property, and environmental safety and are always performed by experienced experts.

8. Routine inspections

If you have large trees on your property, getting routine inspections is one of the best ways to ensure your trees are strong, healthy, and thriving. It allows us to catch signs of disease and damage early on so we can provide safer and more affordable solutions.

If you’ve never had a tree inspection before, no worries! Our team at Oregon Tree Care will be happy to answer any questions you have so you can feel safe and confident in the health of your trees. We also provide professional arborist reports for home and business owners as well as contractors in Oregon.

Wondering if it’s time to call an arborist? Oregon Tree Care is here to help!

oregon tree care team

At Oregon Tree Care, we can provide you with the expert services you need to protect the health and beauty of your trees. We’re passionate about using our knowledge to help Oregon homeowners preserve their trees and elevate their landscapes.

When to Call an Arborist in Oregon