Professional Risk Management with Tree Stress Tests

Do you have trees on your property or around your house that you think shows obvious signs of decay or decline, or maybe you’re unsure? Here at American Arbor, we understand that seeing these signs of decay on your trees is not only sad, but also dangerous depending on where the tree could fall if that were to happen.

In this month’s blog, we’re highlighting what we call a tree stress test, and how you can perform one on your trees, as well as what to expect from our team if you were to call on us to perform one instead!

The Tree Stress Test

A tree stress test is an evaluation method used by arborists to measure a tree’s structural integrity or physiological health. It can refer to structural pull tests (using winches and sensors to check stability) or health assessments (using technology to detect drought stress or decay).

If you’re wondering whether you can check this yourself, you’re in luck because homeowners can also perform basic tree stress tests and visual inspections to assess tree health and detect early signs of trouble. Common DIY methods that anyone can do include the scratch test and visual inspections for leaf discoloration or fungal growth.

If you do decide to perform one of these scratch tests, something to look out for is if the layer before is green and moist, or dry and brittle. Green and moist means your tree is alive and healthy, while dry and brittle is a sign of decay. Make sure to test multiple branches, as those are the dangerous parts that can fall at any moment if the tree is dead.

Call on an Arborist

Being based in Michigan, we know life ramps up at this time of year, so as a homeowner you might not have time to check on your trees yourself or want a more expert opinion on them. This is why we’re here, to be your number one options for all things trees.

You can contact us today to set up a time for us to come inspect your trees ourselves, and then we’ll know what the best move is for next steps.