Like people, trees have their own physical quirks. Some trees are a little taller than others and some have more leaves. Some trees bear more fruit and some have large bump on your trees or growths on them. If you’ve seen one of these “imperfections” you may have wondered whether or not it can harm your tree or if there is something you need to do about it. Here’s what you need to know.
A Bumps are Called Burls
Those bumps you see on trees are known as “burls“. Burls can present themselves in a variety of shapes and sizes, but many of them appear on the trunks of trees. For the most part, these burls are harmless to the tree itself. They won’t hurt the tree however unsightly they may be.
Where Do Burls Come From?
Unlike the metaphor expressed earlier, burls are not genetic imperfections. They are usually caused by fungal infections, bug infestations, or freeze damage. Burls on trees are a lot like scars, really. Like scars, they are caused by damage to the tree. Now, you may be wondering how to remove these burls, but you may want to think things through before you try anything dramatic.
Burls are Harmless; Leave Them Be
In many cases, removing burls from your trees may cause more harm than good. You may create additional vulnerabilities by breaking a large section of the tree’s bark, which could lead to further infestation or infection and, in turn, more burls. It’s best to leave them be once they’ve formed. What you should do is take some time to explore what caused the burl in the first place and correct the problem.
Nelson Tree Specialist Can Diagnose the Problem
Whether you’ve got bugs, fungus, or any other issue with your trees, we’re the ones you need. We can diagnose and treat any issue you may be dealing with. Contact us today for more information.