This time of year many homeowners are noticing tree stress problems. These include leaf-scorch, twig die-back, dying branches, and even tree death with no noticeable pest or disease.

Nature itself promotes stress in plants.

The cause of death this time of year is not always obvious. The long gone winter may have damaged some trees but did not show up until the summer heat and drought added more stress. The result is die-back or death.

Waterlogged soil can damage trees in a very short time. This problem is long gone before the damage appears.

Wounds to tree bark from weedeaters or mowing can introduce stress. Growth can cease beneath the bark in the damaged area and sometimes healthy wood swells around the damaged spot. After some years the bark in this area peels away to expose the sapwood or dead wood beneath.

Sunscald can also damage wood causing stress or die-back. This can come from excessive pruning exposing wood to heat from sunlight. This excessive heating of bark can lead to a condition which can cause limb death or total tree death.

Also, freeze cracks can appear from past winter injury caused by rapid temperature changes.

Trees which are damaged by sunscald, trunk wound, or freeze cracks can survive for years. Suddenly the tree shows stress with less than healthy growth. The result can be tree life reduced and leaf scorch, premature fall coloring, dieback, or other abnormal growth patterns appear.

Remember the solution to tree problems not caused by visible pests is not easy to identify. It is suggested good cultural practices may help relieve some stress. Water trees thoroughly during drought periods. Fertilize in late fall or early spring to boost plant vigor. Remove dead branches and maintain good pest control so that leaves can be protected to keep the tree strong throughout the growing season.

Keep your tree as vigorous as possible with good cultural practices. This can prolong the life of your tree. You can't fix everything; even trees in the forest thin due to competition and die out. Some trees do die as the stress is just too much.