• Skip to main content
  • 469-387-6000
  • [email protected]
  • Local Arborist
  • Services

    All Services

    Local Arborist

    Consulting

    Tree Trimming

    Tree Removal

    Tree Health Care

    Tree Planting

    Stump Grinding

  • Service Area
    Addison Allen Arlington Carrollton Colleyville Coppell Dallas Denton Euless Farmers Branch Flower Mound Fort Worth Frisco Garland Grand Prairie Grapevine Highland Park Irving Keller Lewisville McKinney Mesquite Murphy North Richland Hills Plano Prosper Richardson Rockwall Southlake Trophy Club University Park Wylie
  • Information
    About How We Work Faqs “Arborist” vs. “Certified Arborist” Emergency Tree Work Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
    All Blog North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide Tree Recommendations Insects & Diseases Whats Wrong with My Tree Fall Tree Care Winter Tree Care Spring Tree Care Summer Tree Care
  • Pay Invoice
  • Contact Us
  • What's Wrong with My Tree
  • Local Arborist Services
  • Tree Health Care
  • Insects & Diseases
  • Fall Tree Care
  • Spring Tree Care
  • Summer Tree Care
  • Winter Tree Care
  • Resources

How Does an Arborist Know What’s Wrong With My Sick Tree?

Oct 29, 2021

For all the different health issues that can affect trees, there are a small number of outward symptoms. Browning, limb drop, leaf spotting, and bark loss, for example, could be signs of many different problems, some of which require immediate attention, and some of which will resolve on their own. Being able to properly assess a tree is key to providing the best care to keep the tree healthy. Luckily, “tree doctors” and their colleagues are equipped with a variety of tools to evaluate, diagnose, and care for a wide range of tree health issues.

Inspection, Evaluation, and History

While many symptoms of tree health issues are obvious, it takes education and experience to be able to understand what a tree’s symptoms mean, make a proper diagnosis, and arrange for the best treatment. ISA Certified Arborists are specially-trained individuals who care for trees. Certified arborists understand the different factors that contribute to the health of a tree, such as:

  • Tree species and variety
    • Different species of tree are more susceptible to different health issues
      • What is normal to see in one tree might be a serious concern in another
    • Standard growth patterns and seasonal changes vary by species
    • Many pests target one species or group of species only
    • Imported species have different needs than native ones
  • Location specifics
    • Soil type, sun exposure, proximity to other plants or buildings
    • Weather patterns in the area
      • Weather events many years in the past can have ongoing effects on trees
    • Environmental contaminants
      • Chemical exposure, herbicides (such as weed ‘n’ feed), airborne pollutants
    • History
      • Over- or under-watering, herbicide use, nearby construction
  • Structural abnormalities
    • Multiple trunks
    • Burls
    • Wounds (old or new)
    • Broken limbs
    • Previous trimming or damage
    • Evidence of insect or animal activity (woodpecker holes, borer holes)
  • Leaf and canopy characteristics
    • Individual leaves
      • Size, color, thickness
      • Presence of spots/growths
    • Canopy in general
      • Density, color, uniformity
      • Locations of new leaf growth
      • Evidence of animal activity (squirrel or bird nests)
  • Trunk, branch, and twig growth
    • Location and size of recent growth
    • Presence/absence of watersprouts/suckers
    • Browning or dieback near tips
  • Root collar (root flare) issues
    • Deep or shallow planting
    • Fungus activity
    • Sucker growth
    • Surface roots
    • Girdling roots

It is important to always hire a local certified arborist. Familiarity with native and imported species and local climate history is key to understanding what is abnormal in a particular tree. Weather events, like the freeze in February 2021, can have lasting effects, and a local arborist is your best resource to understand how the freezing weather affected different types of trees. Furthermore, there may be particular diseases or pests in your area that warrant special attention. For example, the epidemic of oak wilt in Texas has led to the creation of the Texas Oak WIlt Qualification (TOWQ), administered by the Texas Chapter of the ISA. Certified arborists with this credential have received special training in identifying and managing oak wilt. If there is oak wilt in your area, you should contact a TOWQ arborist to make sure that your oaks are properly cared for.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are proud to be DFW-born and bred, and we pride ourselves on continuing education to remain at the forefront of our field. We employ TRAQ and TOWQ ISA Certified Arborists and ISA Board Certified Master Arborists. All of our trimming is performed to the highest industry standards and we offer comprehensive plant health care programs to treat pests and diseases on plants of all types. We provide soil and plant tissue sample submission services, as well as advice on how to prepare and submit samples yourself. We are in regular communication with researchers in plant biology, horticulture, entomology, and related fields, so we are equipped to diagnose any plant health issue, common or rare. Have a question about the health of your trees or about how our certified arborists work? Let us know!

Share This Blog
PREV BLOG
NEXT BLOG

Search Within Blogs

Recent Posts

  • Seiridium Canker
    Cypress trees aren't doing well in North Texas due to our extreme weather. A common disease we see affecting this species of trees is seridium canker. […]
  • Guide to Choosing Native Tree Species for North Texas
    Every yard is unique; soil, shade, light, and drainage. What may seem like a copy and paste approach to tree selection is actually more nuanced that that. […]
  • How to Become a Tree City USA —and Why It Matters
    Becoming a Tree City USA signals to residents, businesses, and visitors that your community values trees, sustainability, and invests in a greener future. […]
  • Arbor Day Foundation Recognition Programs: It’s Not Just for Cities!
    Interested in enhancing your community through thoughtful tree stewardship? At Texas Tree Surgeons, we can guide your organization through application strategies and implementation—helping you earn well-deserved recognition while planting the seeds for a greener tomorrow. […]
  • What to Expect During Tree Installation from Texas Tree Surgeons
    To ensure that your tree install is smooth, and safe, […]

Ask Texas tree Surgouns

  • What's Wrong with My Tree
  • Local Arborist Services
  • Consulting
  • Tree Planting
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Tree Health Care
  • Roots
  • Insects & Diseases
  • Tree Recommendations
  • Turf & Trees
  • Extreme Weather
  • Fall Tree Care
  • Spring Tree Care
  • Summer Tree Care
  • Winter Tree Care
  • Top 10
  • Resources
  • Tree Owner's Guide
  • Ask Texas Tree Surgeons
  • Events
  • Video

Follow

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • October 2025
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • May 2023
    • February 2023
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • August 2020
    • June 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    Related

    Related Blogs

    Similar blogs related to this topic

    All Blogs
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    Seiridium Canker

    Seiridium canker primarily attacks the cypress species, affecting the health of your garden. The warm and humid summers common in the Dallas-Fort Worth area make a breeding ground for fungi and this one is very…

    Read more Oct 03, 2025
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    Phyllosticta Leaf Spot

    At Texas Tree Surgeons, we frequently get asked, “Why is my tree dropping leaves so early?” or “What are these dark spots on my crape myrtle?” One possible culprit, especially during warm, wet seasons is…

    Read more Aug 24, 2025
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    What’s Wrong with My Red Oak?

    If your red oak is dropping leaves early or developing strange brown spots with yellow halos, you’re not alone—and your tree may be dealing with Tubakia leaf spot. Common in North Texas, this fungal disease…

    Read more Aug 19, 2025
    Contact Us

    Get Your Estimate Today!

    Ready to get started? Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Request an estimate and get started today.

    Contact Us
    Locations

    Areas Served

    Tree Services in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

    • Dallas
    • Grand Prairie
    • Plano
    • Denton
    • North Richland Hills
    • Southlake
    • Fort Worth
    • Lewisville
    • Carrollton
    • Highland Park
    • Euless
    • Colleyville
    • Arlington
    • Frisco
    • McKinney
    • Grapevine
    • Garland
    • Wylie
    • Irving
    • Richardson
    • Coppell
    • Mesquite
    • Farmers Branch
    • Flower Mound
    • Keller
    • Addison
    • Rockwall
    • Prosper
    • Allen
    • Murphy
    • University Park
    • Trophy Club
    view more
    footer logo

    Dallas Tree Surgeons or Texas Tree Surgeons? Both! Same great people. Different name.

    • 469-387-6000
    • [email protected]
    Services
    • All Services
    • Local Arborist
    • Tree Health Care
    • Tree Removal
    • Tree Trimming
    • Tree Planting
    • Stump Grinding
    Quick Links
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Faqs
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    Follow us on

    "Dallas Tree Surgeons" and "Texas Tree Surgeons" are registered marks of Tree Surgeons LLC.

    Copyright ©2018-2024 Tree Surgeons LLC