Tree health troubleshooting guidelines

Tree health troubleshooting guidelines (adapted from Johnson et al., 2008).
Link to this table

If you see:	Potential cause:	You should:
TRUNK
A flat-sided trunk at the base of the tree	Encircling root restriciting the flow of water and nutrients between the roots and rest of the tree	Excavate to check for encircling root
Bark damage near the bottom of the tree	Rodent or string trimmer	Apply mulch/trunk guard to protect from further damage
An elm tree with liquid oozing from the trunk	Slime flux or wetwood	Not worry about health
BRANCHES
An elm tree with bright yellow leaves on one or two branches	Dutch elm disease	Immediately call the university* or an arborist
Webs in the branches or webs covering the tips of branches	Fall webworm or Eastern tent caterpillar	Not worry about health
Many branch tips snipped off and laying on the ground	Squirrel damage	Not worry about health
Black clumps on branches of a cherry tree	Black knot	Call for advice*
Very little growth	Many	Call for advice*
Hole in trunk or branches	Many	Call for advice*
LEAVES
Leaves sticky and covered with a black velvety coating (like soot)	Piercing, sucking insect and sooty mold	Hose down leaves to get rid of sap
Leaves wilted	Many	Call for advice*
Spots on leaves	Many	Call for advice*
Small leaves	Many	Call for advice*
Sparse leaves	Many	Call for advice*
Yellow or brown leaves	Many	Call for advice*
Holes in leaves	Insect feeding	Not worry about health
Bumps on leaves	Many	Not worry about health

* Call an arborist or other qualified professional