Do Trees Die of Old Age? Knowing When to Let Go
It can be difficult to accept when it is time to have a tree removed from your residence. For one Nashua, NH homeowner this was a particular struggle. After thirty years in the home he genuinely had an attachment to the tree. However, even with the TLC this homeowner had given the tree for over a year, it continued to show signs of dying.
Nashua Homeowner Learns that Not All Trees Can Be Saved
Many times trees can die from unseen causes. This is often circumstances that are out of our control, anything from a wound or infection to toxins taken in by the tree’s roots. Insects and animals are also a common cause of tree deaths, feasting on the newest part of the tree. These are typically easier to identify and address if caught early enough.
For older trees, the exposure to the elements and weather over time can be enough to pull off the bark, which can affect the flow of water and nutrients to the tree. For a tree, this is in essence “dying of old age”.
In the case of this Nashua homeowner’s tree, the reason for the tree’s slow death could not be identified. The dead, hanging branches at the crown were becoming a hazard. Ultimately, the homeowner was convinced that it was in fact time to let the tree go. We quickly did the work for him, ensuring that no one or property could be damaged by falling limbs. The homeowner has plans to plant a sapling in its place this spring.
