Warning Signs of Trunk Rot in Smoky Mountain Foothills Trees
Is there an odd growth making its way up the base of a good shade tree? Or are you concerned a storm will be the undoing of one of your trees? Those of us in the Smoky Mountain foothills often put down the fact our trees do not fare as well as they would in drier climes to the conditions here.
It is no figment of your imagination and you are by no means alone in these concerns. We at Smoky Mountain Tree Service have made it our business for years to put homeowners in Knoxville and the foothills at ease, identifying trunk rot and putting a stop to it before it turns into a hazard. Should you have any qualms about a tree on your land, we can be reached at (865) 346-4490.
The Prevalence of Trunk Rot in Our Part of the Country
There is no denying the beauty of the Smoky Mountain foothills, yet it is an environment tailor made for trunk rot. The fungi are only too happy to make use of the warm summers, the rain and the high humidity. They will find a crack or some dead wood to get at a tree and from there they set about dismantling the trunk from within.
What makes it insidious is that trunk rot is an inside job. On the outside a tree may appear in fine health while the core of the wood is becoming soft and hollow. For that reason the warning signs are something to pay attention to.
Signs That Warrant Your Attention
You will not see trunk rot appear overnight; it has a way of revealing itself over time with small telltale clues. Make note of any of these on your trees:
- Shelf-like fungus, conks or mushrooms at the root flare or on the trunk
- Bark that is spongy or crumbles under pressure
- Open cavities or splits running up the trunk
- Debris or sawdust at the foot of the tree
- Damp or discolored wood where the bark has peeled back
- An empty sound from the trunk if you give it a tap with a mallet or the back of your hand
- Branch dieback in the upper canopy or the tree taking on a lean
One of these is enough to warrant a closer look, but a combination of them and you can be sure there is internal decay at work.
Do Not Dismiss Fungus at the Base
It is a common misconception among homeowners to think mushrooms around a tree are of no consequence. More often than not the reverse is true. Conks or shelf fungi on the roots or trunk are an indication the fungus has put down deep roots in the wood; what you can see is just the tip of it.
Should you come across this on a sizeable tree close to your house or power lines, we would advise you not to tarry. Put in a call to (865) 346-4490 and have an ISA-certified arborist from our staff come out.
The Case for a Professional’s Opinion
Trunk rot is a deceiver. A tree will endure a weakening of its structure for quite some time and then in a high wind or a storm, which are not uncommon in our foothills, it can come down with little notice. To try and divine the damage yourself when much of it is out of sight is a risk.
Our ISA-certified arborists have the training to spot the nuances others overlook and will let you know if a tree is salvageable or better left to be removed. It is a matter of experience; our team has more than 20 years of it between them.
Protecting Your Trees
The humidity in the foothills is not something to be had or had not, but there are measures to mitigate the danger. Do not put open wounds on the trunk with a trimmer or mower, fungi will take advantage of them. Pull the mulch away from the trunk to let the base dry. Older and larger trees in particular should be put on a schedule for inspection.
We are a family concern, having been in operation since 2018. Licensed and insured, Smoky Mountain Tree Service covers an hour’s radius of Knoxville including Maryville, Oak Ridge, Corryton, Morristown, Pigeon Forge and Lenoir City. We provide free estimates and will respond to any emergency 24 hours a day if a tree poses an immediate threat.
If the above has given you cause for concern, make the call today. Let our arborists at Smoky Mountain Tree Service put your mind at ease and safeguard your property. You can reach us at (865) 346-4490.