Sign of disease

[Mrhutchinsonmn]

Just moved to a hobby farm and looking over our grove, prior to spring coming. I have what I believe are a large number of questionable trees. Many with dead branches and limbs, split bark and growths at the base of trunks. It also looks to me that there is an excessive number of dead trees too. As a novice, I am attempting to identify if there is an over arching problem of disease and infestation. Some research I have done indicates growth at the base of a tree is a sign of disease. Would that be the case with the attached photos? Have many more questions to follow.

 

[cerviarborist]

http://www.isa-arbor.com/findanarborist/arboristsearch.aspx

 

[KTSmith]

Cerviarborist has it right, above. There is no quick way to assess your needs remotely. You need local, on-the-ground counseling and assessment, after you identify your management goal.

I will add that heavy sprouting at the base of live trees is frequently a non-specific indicator of tree stress. Is that important? In part, that (and everything else) depends on your management objective for your woodlot/hobby farm. In addition to the "find an arborist" link, the Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course offered by UMinnesota is happening in March, I believe. Find the program online and see if it suits you. I was at the Rochester [MN] Arborist Workshop this past week, and was again impressed by the dedicated and knowledgeable folks up there. Depending on management objective, you may be better served by tuning in to the forestry component of Minnesota Cooperative Extension, also linked to the state university system. Welcome and good luck.

 

[Mrhutchinsonmn]

Thank you. Made a connection with the DNR Forester in my region. We are going to do a walk through when trees start leafing.