--- title: Tree Health and Problems Questions | Battle Born Tree url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - Tree health and problems # Tree health and problems: your questions answered Most tree problems start with a sign you can see: dropped branches, mushrooms, sticky drips, holes in the bark or leaves that never came. An ISA Certified Arborist can read that sign, and Battle Born Tree Service has two on staff. These short answers cover common questions about sick, damaged or odd-looking trees. Each links to a fuller answer. We identify the problem and advise whether pruning, cabling or removal is the answer; we do not spray or inject. ## Why is my cottonwood dropping branches in summer? Large limbs can fail on hot, calm days even when the tree looks healthy, and long horizontal limbs are the usual ones. A spreading cottonwood over a yard or driveway deserves an arborist's look after a drop. Read [why a cottonwood drops branches in summer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-is-my-cottonwood-dropping-branches-in-summer/). ## Are mushrooms at the base of a tree a bad sign? They can be. Mushrooms at the base or conks on the trunk are signs of wood decay, and a conk generally means rot several feet above and below it. No mushrooms does not mean no decay. See [mushrooms at the base of a tree](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/are-mushrooms-at-the-base-of-a-tree-a-bad-sign/). ## Why are my aspen trees dying? Usually drought stress, often with conifer crowding, browsing or trunk cankers added. Aspen often struggle in valley yards. An arborist checks the trunk and decides on pruning or removal. Read [why aspen trees die](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-are-my-aspen-trees-dying/). ## What is the sticky sap dripping from my tree? Often honeydew from sap-feeding insects, sometimes resin, and occasionally slime flux, a dark smelly ooze from a wound. Where the drip comes from tells them apart. See [the sticky sap on your tree](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/what-is-the-sticky-sap-dripping-from-my-tree/). ## Can a tree recover after losing half its crown? Sometimes. One extension rule of thumb says a tree that has lost half its limbs most likely should come out, but waiting until spring leaf-out is often wise unless it is unsafe. Read [recovering after crown loss](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/can-a-tree-recover-after-losing-half-its-crown/). ## Why is my tree leafing out late this spring? Cool weather, a late frost, winter bud injury, drought or root trouble can all delay leaves. Extension advice is not to judge a tree before June 1. See [why a tree leafs out late](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-is-my-tree-leafing-out-late/). ## What are the rows of small holes in my tree's bark? Neat rows are usually sapsuckers drilling for sap, while borer holes are deeper and scattered. The damage is often minor, but heavy feeding can girdle a limb. Read [rows of holes in tree bark](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/what-are-the-rows-of-holes-in-my-tree-bark/). ## Should a tree hit by lightning be removed? Not automatically, but have it checked soon, because damage can be hidden and delayed. If it is split, leaning or on a line, stay away and call 911 or NV Energy first. Read [lightning-struck trees](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/should-a-tree-hit-by-lightning-be-removed/). ### Sources - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Tips for Healthy Landscape Trees](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2649) (read October 17, 2026) - [Washington State University Extension: Wood Decay, a Common Disease in Trees (Hitchcock, 2016, PDF)](https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/extension/uploads/sites/57/2014/03/Wood-Decay-Common-Disease-in-Trees.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [University of Missouri Extension: Caring for Snow-Damaged Trees](https://extension.missouri.edu/news/caring-for-snow-damaged-trees) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [How to tell if a tree is dead or dying](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/is-my-tree-dead-or-dying/) - [Warning signs before a tree fails](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/warning-signs-tree-failure/) - [Arborist consultation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/arborist-consultation/) - [Drought stress and dieback](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/drought-stress-and-dieback/) - [Root and trunk decay](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/root-and-trunk-decay/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) ## Answered in full [### Why is my cottonwood dropping branches in summer? Large limbs can fail on hot, calm summer days even when the tree looks healthy, a pattern often called sudden limb drop. Long, heavy horizontal limbs are the us Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-is-my-cottonwood-dropping-branches-in-summer/)[### Are mushrooms at the base of a tree a bad sign? They can be. Washington State University Extension calls mushrooms in the soil at the base of a tree, and conks on the trunk or limbs, the most obvious signs of Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/are-mushrooms-at-the-base-of-a-tree-a-bad-sign/)[### Why are my aspen trees dying? Usually stress from drought, often on top of crowding by conifers, browsing or trunk cankers. Utah State University Extension describes both a slow decline tied Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-are-my-aspen-trees-dying/)[### What is the sticky sap dripping from my tree? Usually one of three things: honeydew left by sap-feeding insects, resin or pitch, or slime flux, a dark smelly ooze from a wound. Where the drip comes from, ho Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/what-is-the-sticky-sap-dripping-from-my-tree/)[### Can a tree recover after losing half its crown? Sometimes, but it is a close call. A University of Missouri Extension rule of thumb says that if half of the limbs are damaged or taken down, the tree most like Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/can-a-tree-recover-after-losing-half-its-crown/)[### Why is my tree leafing out late this spring? Common causes are a cool spring, a late frost, winter injury to buds, last season's drought or root problems. Iowa State University Extension advises not judgin Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/why-is-my-tree-leafing-out-late/)[### What are the rows of small holes in my tree's bark? Orderly horizontal or vertical rows of small holes are the work of sapsuckers, a type of woodpecker that drills for sap. Insect exit holes are typically deeper Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/what-are-the-rows-of-holes-in-my-tree-bark/)[### Should a tree hit by lightning be removed? Not automatically, but it should be looked at soon. Clemson Extension says some struck trees show no damage right away, while others lose bark in strips or burs Read the answer](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/tree-health-and-problems/should-a-tree-hit-by-lightning-be-removed/)