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Life after Death in Surrey: A Tree’s Purpose


We all know that trees provide us with a source of oxygen. However, when a tree dies it can cause a lot of potential harm to its environment. It can affect everything from the soil to being an attraction for bugs, to possibly fuelling forest fires. When a tree dies for whatever reason it is important to take the proper measures in order to maintain the safety of not only your garden but your environment as well.

To add a personal perspective to this subject matter. I had a dead tree in my backyard. It was some sort of berry tree at one point. I remember the squirrels and birds always had a field day in it. It was impairing the health of the soil and vegetation around it. I wanted to start a garden, I have cucumbers already growing. But the soil was of such poor quality that weeds didn’t even want to grow in that spot anymore.

Eventually, I had to cut the tree down so, keep in mind when a tree dies it does have repercussions.

Tree Mortality

Recently, there has been a phenomenon being studied in the field of botany known as tree mortality. This refers to the death of in forests as well as in general.

As a tree service professional operating in Surrey I can say that there are two major causes for dead or dying trees:

  1. Extreme weather conditions.
  2. Insects trigged by the changes in the climate.

Over the past few decades, it has been reported that this phenomenon has been present in many forest types. This has been a widespread occurrence all over Canada, including Surrey. Back in the early 2000s, there was a severe drought that depleted the aspen forests all over western Canada. However, this phenomenon isn’t one that is easy to predict. It isn’t like the solar eclipse or the blooming of some sort of exotic flower that only happens every so often.

Although, with the every changing climate it is likely to continue happening, especially in areas like Surrey where there are severe weather conditions occurring. Tree mortality results in causing the forest ecosystem potential harm no matter where it happens.

The Importance of Mortality

An arborist can measure the health of trees by surveying the tree mortality in the area. Not only can it measure the health of trees but tree mortality can also provide a perspective of how it affects the carbon balance in the environment.

Drought can cause premature death in trees, this is bad not only for the ecosystem of the forest but also for the supply of wood in industries relating to forestry. Trees can only put up with so much stress before it starts to affect them. If climate conditions become too dire or the pattern of insect attacks becomes too repetitively, then it is likely to cause the tree serious health concerns. Tree mortality can occur in any region, at any time, just as long as the environmental situations support it.

Have you spotted a dead tree? Need a professional tree care opinion? Call us: (604)721-7370