Signs Your Tree Needs Professional Summer Care

Summer heat and storms can stress even the healthiest trees, leaving them vulnerable to disease, pest infestations, and structural damage. The key to keeping your Winston-Salem property safe and beautiful is learning to spot early warning signs before they become costly emergencies.

When you know what to look for, you can take action before a stressed tree becomes a safety hazard. At Shannon & Sons Tree Service, we’ve helped homeowners across the Winston-Salem and Triad area protect their properties with over 20 years of experience and an A+ BBB rating. Here’s what every homeowner should watch for this summer.

Why Summer Tree Care Matters

Summer brings unique challenges for trees in the Winston-Salem area. Extended heat waves, drought conditions, severe thunderstorms, and increased pest activity all take their toll on tree health. Unlike other seasons, summer stress often happens quickly and can compromise a tree’s structural integrity in just a few weeks.

Trees are valuable investments that add beauty and increase property values by up to 15%. However, a damaged or diseased tree can quickly become a liability. Professional tree care Triad homeowners trust helps prevent property damage, protects your family’s safety, and saves money compared to emergency removals after storm damage.

Most importantly, catching problems early means the difference between a simple pruning job and complete tree removal.

Warning Signs Your Tree Needs Professional Help

Dead or Hanging Branches

Dead branches are among the most dangerous tree problems homeowners face. These branches can fall without warning, especially during summer storms common in North Carolina. You’ll recognize dead branches by their lack of leaves, brittle bark that easily peels away, and a dry, hollow sound when tapped.

Hanging branches are equally hazardous. Even if they’re still partially attached, they’re likely to fall during the next windstorm. Both dead and hanging branches often indicate internal decay or disease that requires professional assessment.

Fungal Growth on Trunk or Roots

Mushrooms, shelf fungi, or other growths appearing on your tree’s trunk or around its base are serious warning signs. These fungi typically indicate internal rot or root decay that compromises the tree’s structural integrity.

Root rot is particularly concerning because it affects the tree’s stability. A tree with compromised roots can topple over during storms, potentially causing significant property damage or injury.

Unusual Leaf Discoloration or Wilting

Healthy trees should have vibrant, full foliage throughout the growing season. Yellow, brown, or prematurely dropping leaves often signal underlying problems like disease, pest infestations, or water stress.

Summer heat can cause drought stress, but proper watering should resolve wilting within a day or two. Persistent discoloration or wilting despite adequate water indicates more serious issues that require professional tree service Winston-Salem experts can diagnose.

Insect Infestations

Summer brings increased insect activity, and some pests can destroy trees quickly. Watch for holes in bark or leaves, unusual webbing, sawdust-like material around the tree base, or visible insects on the trunk and branches.

While some insects cause minimal damage, others like emerald ash borers or southern pine beetles can kill trees within a single season. Early identification and treatment are vital for saving infested trees.

Cracks in the Trunk or Major Limbs

Visible cracks in the trunk or large branches indicate structural weakness that could lead to catastrophic failure. These cracks often result from storm damage, drought stress, or internal decay.

Even small cracks can expand rapidly under stress from wind, ice, or additional growth. Professional assessment helps determine whether the tree can be saved through cabling or bracing, or if removal is necessary for safety.

Sparse or Uneven Canopy Growth

A healthy tree should have relatively even foliage distribution throughout its canopy. Sparse growth, large gaps in the leaf coverage, or significant differences between sections of the tree often indicate root damage, disease, or environmental stress.

Compare your tree’s current appearance to photos from previous years if possible. Gradual decline might not be immediately obvious, but year-over-year comparisons can reveal concerning trends.

Signs of Root Damage or Heaving Soil

Root problems are often harder to spot but can be the most dangerous. Look for exposed roots, raised or cracked soil around the tree base, or the tree leaning more than usual.

Construction damage, soil compaction, or fungal infections can compromise root systems. Since roots anchor the tree and provide nutrients, root damage often leads to tree failure during storms.

Benefits of Calling Shannon & Sons Tree Service

Our certified arborists bring over two decades of experience diagnosing and treating tree problems specific to the Winston-Salem and Triad area. We understand local tree species, common pests, and how summer conditions affect tree health.

When you call Shannon & Sons, you get safe, professional removal of hazardous limbs or trees using state-of-the-art equipment. For trees that can be saved, we provide expert pruning, cabling, bracing, or treatment options to restore health and structural integrity.

Our local knowledge means we recognize problems common to North Carolina trees and can recommend preventive care specific to your property’s conditions.

Don’t Wait for a Storm to Expose the Problem

Stressed trees are significantly more likely to fail during summer thunderstorms. What might seem like a minor issue during calm weather can become a major safety hazard when high winds and heavy rain test a tree’s structural integrity.

Preventive care is always safer and more affordable than emergency tree removal. A professional evaluation can identify problems before they become dangerous, potentially saving thousands in property damage or injury costs.

Many tree service companies, including Shannon & Sons, offer free or low-cost evaluations that can catch issues early when they’re still manageable.