Signs a tree should be looked at
- Mushrooms or conks at the base or on the trunk. They usually mean decay inside.
- Cavities, soft wood or hollow sounds when the trunk is tapped.
- A dead or thinning top, or whole sections that leaf out late or not at all.
- Bark falling off in sheets, or woodpeckers working one tree hard (often a sign of insects underneath).
- Cracks, especially where two trunks split apart.
- A new lean, or soil that's cracked or lifted on one side of the tree.
- Root damage from trenching, a new driveway, a septic install or grading near the trunk.
Common tree problems around Mecosta County
- Emerald ash borer. This beetle has killed most untreated ash trees across Michigan. Look for thinning crowns, D-shaped exit holes and bark splitting. Dead ash dries out and becomes brittle fast, which makes it more dangerous to climb and to leave standing near buildings.
- Oak wilt. A fungal disease that can kill red oaks within weeks in summer, and spreads to neighboring oaks through connected roots. It's spread by beetles to fresh wounds, which is why oaks shouldn't be pruned from mid-April through mid-July.
- Beech bark disease. Present in parts of Michigan; infected beech trees weaken and can snap partway up the trunk ("beech snap").
- Ice and wind damage. Cracked and hanging limbs after a storm may not fall right away. A "hanger" can drop weeks later.
- Construction damage. Roots extend well past the branches. Cutting them for a driveway, pole barn, septic field or addition can kill a tree slowly over a few years.
Your options
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Leave it alone | The tree is healthy and nothing serious is under it. Plenty of trees look worse than they are. |
| Trimming | Dead limbs, heavy limbs over the house, or a crowded canopy. See tree trimming. |
| Cabling or bracing | A valuable tree with a weak fork that's otherwise healthy. Steel cables or rods reduce the chance of a split. |
| Treatment | Some high-value ash trees can be protected with insecticide treatments if they're treated before much of the canopy is lost; an arborist can tell you if yours is a candidate. |
| Removal | Significant decay, a dead ash, oak wilt, a failing root system, or a tree that's simply too big for the spot. See tree removal. |
When you need a certified arborist
For most trimming and removal decisions, a careful look at the tree and what's around it is enough. Some situations call for a formal assessment from an ISA Certified Arborist:
- Confirming oak wilt or another disease before treating neighboring trees.
- A city, lake association, insurance company or lender asking for a written report.
- A large or heritage tree where you want a detailed health and risk evaluation before deciding.
Ask any arborist for their certification number and verify it on the International Society of Arboriculture's website. MSU Extension is also a good free source of information on Michigan tree pests and diseases.
What to send us
Photos help a lot: the whole tree from a distance, the base of the trunk, any mushrooms, cracks or cavities, the leaves or bark if something looks off, and what's under the tree. Add them to the estimate form and describe what you've noticed.
Questions about tree health & risk checks
How do I know if my tree is dying?
Common signs are a thinning or dead top, branches that don't leaf out, mushrooms at the base, cracks, cavities, and bark falling off. One sign alone doesn't always mean the tree is dying, so it's worth having it looked at.
Should I remove a dead ash tree?
If it's near a house, driveway, road or anywhere people spend time, usually yes, and sooner is better. Ash killed by emerald ash borer gets brittle quickly, which makes removal riskier and often more expensive the longer it stands.
How can I tell if my oak has oak wilt?
Red oaks with oak wilt often wilt and drop leaves quickly in early to mid summer, sometimes while the leaves are still partly green, and nearby oaks may follow. Other problems can look similar, so a sample or an arborist's diagnosis is the way to confirm it.
Is a leaning tree dangerous?
A tree that has always leaned and has a stable root plate is often fine. A new lean, especially after a storm or heavy rain with cracked or raised soil on one side, can mean the roots are failing and should be checked right away.