Houston tree expert helps homeowners understand tree stress and how to help trees survive drought

Oct. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Houston and other Texas cities recently received appreciable amounts of rainfall. City of Pearland received five inches while Houston had three inches, according to area weather forecasters.

The rainfall has left wildlife and trees breathing sighs of relief after months of intense heat and little or no rainfall.

Houston tree specialist Louis Flory, owner of Ability Tree Experts (http://www.abilitytrees.com) says area trees have gone so long without adequate rain and still need help from homeowners despite the rainfall.

He recently released signs that homeowners need to watch for to determine if their trees are under severe stress and need help.

One of the first signs that trees need help in the Houston area is dropping leaves.
Louis Flory said that when trees suffer from severe stress, their leaves start dropping at higher rates than normal, the leaves turn yellow or light green. They also wilt and this results in many dead branches on the trees.

“When this happens, it is important that homeowners contact tree professionals immediately to assess the damage and recommend a course of action. Sometimes the trees can be saved and other times, the only thing that can be done is to cut down the trees,” the Houston area arborist said this week.

He said homeowners should pay special attention to young or newly planted trees. “They have not had the chance to develop their root system and are easily affected by the adverse weather condition.”

Another sign that trees in Houston need help is the presence of diseases. As trees adjust to the drought, they attempt to conserve the limited resources available to them. Over time, the trees become weaker and this is when diseases and pests like Aphids, Elm Leaf Beetle and Lacebugs strike.

“These diseases and pests like Pine Bark Beetles and Mealy Bugs love to strike weakened trees and trees are their weakest during prolonged droughts because they are not getting enough of the nutrients they need including water. This is when they need the most help,” he added.

He told Houston area homeowners to visit Ability Trees website at http://abilitytrees.com/diagnose.html for complete list of tree diseases and pests that could affect trees in Texas, their symptoms and how to effectively combat their effects.

About Ability Tree Experts

Houston, Texas based Ability Tree Experts is a member of the National Arborist Association. With over 30 years’ experience in tree service, Ability Tree Experts are specialists in complete tree maintenance including tree care, tree trimming, tree removal, tree pruning and planting, tree diseases and pest control, tree fertilizing and cavity work, tree spraying, tree cabling and pre-construction consultation.

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Ability Tree Experts is Houston's leading tree service experts. We are insured for your protection. Ability Tree Experts specializes in tree stump grinding, tree removal, tree pruning, tree trimming, winterizing and spring greening among others.