If you look at your tree during spring and summer and you notice the leaves aren’t a bright shade of green but instead yellowish or light green your tree might be telling you something is not right.

The leaves in the trees canopy produce food through photosynthesis while roots uptake nutrients from the soil to replenish the tree’s reserve. So if you are not seeing new green leaves on your trees it is imperative to schedule an assessment with an ISA Certified Arborist. 

Chlorosis Red Flags 

• Yellowing leaves 
• Light green leaves on part of the tree 
• Half of tree is discolored
• Leaves are not bright green
• Tree looks pale

What is Chlorosis?

When you see yellow leaves on a tree it often means there is a deficiency in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an essential part of a tree’s nutrient-gathering process, it helps trees produce energy through photosynthesis. When a tree is chlorotic in North Texas it is a sign that there is an iron deficiency.

How a Texas Tree Surgeons ISA Certified Arborist Diagnosis Chlorosis

A local arborist company like Texas Tree Surgeons will understand the different micro-environments found in North Texas and the way in which  soil types affect certain tree species. In North Texas the soil types you will find are Cross Timbers, Flood Plains, and Texan Blackland Prairie. The clay binds the iron into the soil making it difficult for some types of trees to be able to absorb the iron through their roots. The trees we see that become chlorotic are ones that prefer acidic soil, not alkaline, which is what you find in North Texas.

How Texas Tree Surgeons Treats Chlorosis

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At Texas Tree Surgeons we treat trees that are suffering from low iron with a tree health care plan that consists of a Verdur injection into the tree root flare. We do this in order to bypass the roots so the iron can go directly into the vascular system to help bring back green pigmentation to the tree for photosynthesis.

We  typically apply treatment during the dormant season at a higher rate but can apply in the growing season with a lower rate if the tree is in dire need of help.

We inject Verdur every 3 years with amazing results, extending the tree’s life significantly.  

What can Homeowners do to help their trees with Chlorosis?

Once a tree is affected by chlorosis there is a cycle of decline, more health issues will happen if not treated with Verdur. Having an assessment and a tree health care plan from an ISA Certified Arborist that is TDA licensed is critical.

What Will Happen to my Tree with Chlorosis?

As the tree’s leaves start to turn yellow it begins to starve because it doesn’t have enough food. They aren’t photosynthesizing correctly so the limbs of the tree start to consume more energy that they can produce. For the most part tree limbs are mostly autonomous. They produce and consume their own energy. Once a limb gets to a tipping point it dies and if too many limbs die off, the tree will die.

What species are Texas Tree Surgeons arborists seeing this effect?

• Pin Oaks
• Sweetgums

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Don’t wait till it’s too late to save your tree. If you are seeing yellow in the leaves of your trees canopy please contact us for a tree assessment.