Most Common Tree Problems in Central Ohio

1. Choosing the wrong species for the site: The most important step in plant health care is often forgotten. If the species selected is adapted to the site's environment and is planted to allow for maximum growth, your trees will thrive. Ask a nursery professional to direct you towards species that have the aesthetic qualities you are looking for and will do well in the site you have selected. Once you have narrowed your choices consult with an arborist for final plant selection.
2. Improper Planting: Planting a tree correctly ensures that the tree survives the stress of transplant shock and that the tree lives a long and healthy life.
3. Compacted Soils: Soils are commonly compacted in the urban landscape due to construction and traffic. Compacted soils result in restricted root growth and limited ability to uptake water and nutrients. Consult an arborist to learn the many ways to prevent and reduce compaction in your landscape.
4. Improper Pruning: A professional arborist possesses the knowledge to prune your trees correctly and avoid many of the problems associated with improper pruning.
5. Monocultures: The most common monocultures are screens. One species is planted in a row to create a visual or sound buffer. In reality the best screens are a combination of multiple species, size, color and texture. This creates a better screen and a lasting screen. Attack from a disease or insect will not take out the entire planting. Diversify your landscape.
6. Lack of Nutrients: Trees have evolved in a forest, under a carpet of decaying organic matter rich with nutrients, microbes and fungi. Trees did not evolve in our urban landscape where they have to compete with grass for nutrients and water, and have all leaves, twigs and organic matter raked up and taken away. Using fertilizer rich in organic material with microbes and fungus is a good way to mimic nature and help trees live in our urban environments.
7. Nonnative invasive insects and disease: Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Long Horned Beatle are (2) nonnative insects that are devouring our forests. Our native species have no natural resistance and there are no native predators or controls. Once this pest has invaded your area consult an arborist for the best management strategy.
8. Water Management: Watch the weather, trees need about an inch of water a week. All trees,  even mature trees, like a good long soak once a week especially during a drought. During the spring and fall Mother Nature can usually provides adequate water. 
9. Construction Damage: In most cases construction damage is easy to prevent and very difficult to remedy. Placing a barrier around the tree and its roots zone or pruning trees to clear equipment and structures are common forms of prevention. However, repairing compacted soils or torn branches is often more work and more costly.
10. Insects, Disease and Mites: Most people would list these problems as one, two, three, but the truth is that management to reduce environmental stresses results in a healthy thriving tree that is resistant. Changes in weather or pest controls will sometimes cause a spike in pest population but a healthy tree is resilient and can be treated.
11. Emerald Ash Borer(EAB): EAB is a pest problem that continues to devastate forests. This insect attacks unhealthy and healthy Ash Trees. The only positive aspect, is that is does not affect other tree species. Treatments are available.