Who do you call for a sick tree?

Author: Zetta Johnson Jr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

If you're concerned about your tree's health, contact an arborist. Certified arborists handle planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and tree removal. Consulting arborists focus on diagnosing issues, recommending treatments, appraising trees, and advising on tree services.

Who do I call to see if my tree is dying?

But a tree care professional or arborist is going to know more about why a tree or shrub might be sick or dying, and they will be educated about the proper way to handle the problem.

What to do if a tree looks sick?

Once you've determined that your tree is sick, you'll need to take steps to help it recover. Depending on the cause of the illness, this may involve pruning, fertilizing, applying fungicides or insecticides, removing dead or damaged limbs, or providing additional resources like water and light.

Who can diagnose a diseased tree?

Your arborist will perform a visual inspection of the foliage, trunk, and stems of the symptomatic tree for evidence of disease. If detected, they will recommend a course of preventive treatments most appropriate for the specific pathogen and tree species.

What is considered a tree emergency?

A tree emergency typically involves any scenario where a tree poses an immediate risk to structures, power lines, or people nearby. Often, severe weather or structural instability suddenly turns a healthy-looking tree into a serious threat.

Signs of a Sick Tree

Do you call 911 for a down tree?

If the fallen tree is in the middle of a public road, your local emergency number (911) is the best entity to contact. Emergency responders may need to use the road and a blockage can have serious consequences, so a call to the emergency line is warranted.

Who can help with a sick tree?

If you're concerned about your tree's health, contact an arborist. Certified arborists handle planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and tree removal. Consulting arborists focus on diagnosing issues, recommending treatments, appraising trees, and advising on tree services.

Does homeowners insurance cover diseased tree removal?

No matter how precarious the tree is, your homeowners insurance policy probably doesn't cover its preventative removal. The costs associated with removing leaning, rotten, or otherwise dangerous trees fall to you. That said, the cost of removing a tree that seems to be in danger of falling is well worth it.

What does diseased tree look like?

Symptoms and Signs

There are two types of lesions to look for, one starts out a straw yellow color and develops brown margins, the second type is a brown spot with a yellow band. Diseased needles often times have brown tips. Both needle spots in- crease in size over time, resulting in needle death.

Should you cut down a sick tree?

Diseased Trees

An infected tree can spread disease to other trees and plants in the area, causing significant damage. If you notice signs of disease, such as dead branches, discolored leaves, or fungus growing on the trunk, it's time to remove the tree before it causes any more damage.

How do you treat a sick tree?

Tree care professionals recommend the seven tips below for sick tree treatment.
  1. #1: Stop Current Pesticide Use. ...
  2. #2: Water If Necessary. ...
  3. #3: Halt New Fertilizers. ...
  4. #4: Perform Pest Control. ...
  5. #5: Aerate Roots. ...
  6. #6: Trim The Tree. ...
  7. #7: Hire An Expert Tree Service.

Can a sick tree be saved?

Once a disease is identified, arborists can prescribe the appropriate treatment. This may involve pruning away infected branches, applying fungicides or antibiotics, or implementing cultural practices like adjusting watering or mulching to mitigate disease progression.

What is a tree specialist called?

You should now know the answer to “what is a tree specialist called?” By choosing a certified arborist, you'll choose the right tree specialist. Need a tree specialist or tree services in Folsom, CA?

How do you save a tree that looks like its dying?

How to Save a Dying Tree: 8 Tips to Try
  1. Determine If the Tree Is Dying. ...
  2. Fix Moisture Issues. ...
  3. Prune The Tree Properly. ...
  4. Add Mulch to Nourish the Soil. ...
  5. Treat With Fertilizer. ...
  6. Treat for Diseases and Insects. ...
  7. Perform a Scratch Test. ...
  8. Hire a Professional Arborist.

Do dead branches mean a tree is dying?

An important note about branches: a single dead branch or twig does not mean the entire tree is dead. All large trees will have some dead branches; it's part of their life cycle. However, if a tree has multiple large, dead branches, something could be wrong with the tree.

How to get homeowners insurance to pay for tree removal?

If a tree topples onto your home or drops a big limb on your roof because of a peril that's covered by your policy, your homeowners insurance generally can cover damage both to your home and to your belongings — and can cover the cost of removing the tree and any debris.

Will FEMA pay for tree removal?

Reimbursement is at the typical cost for normal debris removal. For hazardous tree removal, FEMA will cover the cost of removal for trees with broken canopies or that are in imminent danger of falling, as long as they are six inches or larger in diameter at 4.5 feet above ground level.

Will insurance pay for a dead tree?

Key takeaways. Home insurance may cover tree debris removal in some scenarios, such as after a windstorm or ice storm, but only up to your policy's coverage limits. Your policy likely won't pay to remove a dead, rotted, overgrown or potentially damaging tree from your property.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree disease?

This is known as “reactive” tree removal, and it is sometimes covered by most insurance policies. However, homeowners insurance may not cover the cost of removing a tree that has not yet fallen, but is diseased and likely to fall soon. This “preventative” tree removal is not typically covered by insurance policies.

What is the tree removal assistance program?

TAP is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). TAP provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.

Can you nurse a tree back to health?

Spread Mulch Around Your Tree

Adding mulch around the base of the tree is a great way to nourish the soil and help prevent fungal disease, regulate soil temperatures, help with drainage, and restore the tree's overall health.

Does anyone remove trees for free?

You can also get free services from organizations that collect endangered tree species or charities that want to help clear a particular area. The last option for free tree removal services is the town workers. However, they will only help when the tree is dangerous to the people or is within their property.

Who should pay for tree removal?

If a neighbor's tree falls on your home, you should be covered by your insurance company. Likewise, if a tree falls from your property onto your neighbor's property and causes damage, they should be covered by their homeowner's insurance policy.

What is the cheapest time of year for tree removal?

Arborists believe that if you get your trees removed in the winter as opposed to the spring or summer, you can save as much as 30% to 40% on the cost.

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