Tree Health

Question: I bought a new house and have 4 trees on the property.  I wanted to know more about them to inform what I do to keep them healthy.
1. There is what I believe to be a Silver Maple.  A very large tree I of course don't want it to come down.  What can I do to keep it healthy in years to come.
2. A pine tree that doesn't look so good.  Some have told me that I just need to cut it down.  Is there anything I can do to save the tree or is it at the end of its life?
3. I'm told a crab apple tree that was cut back a lot a couple years ago. What can I do to keep it healthy in years to come.
4. I don't know what this is.  Are the leaves diseased or just at the end of the season?  Is it invasive?  How would I care for it?

responder: Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com  Replied October 09, 2024, 9:29 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your Question.  The pictures are helpful.  The first is a pic of a southern live oak.  I used "picture this" to identify it.  The site said the tree looked healthy, no problems detected.  These trees are tough and easy to care for.  Your tree is mature and will require little care.  You may need to watch for branches that need pruned.  Otherwise, you have a good specimen. Your second pic is a sitka spruce.  Again, "Picture This" says you have a healthy plant, suggests fertilizing once a year in spring.  Do pruning in winter.  Sitka spruce is the largest spruce and it looks like yours is mature.  The look of your tree is natural for the kind it is.   Your third tree is an eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), it has this name because of the heart (Cercis) shaped leaves.  This is a small undergrowth tree that has lovely small flowers in early spring.   However, the brown streaks on the leaves are signs of brown spot.  Brown spot can have a variety of causes.  Treatment plan depends on how much of the plant is affected.  50% or more leaves affected is considered severe.  Prune away all infected leaves, cleaning pruners with 10% bleach between each tree.  Make sure to destroy all contaminated plant material so it(brown spot) doesn't remain.  If less than 50% , the disease will not likely have adverse effect on the plant. If you had a fourth pic, it was not included.  I did not see a crabapple. IF i can help any more, please let me know.

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 10, 2024, 7:51 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your help on those three trees.  I’ll take off the brown spot leaves and look into more information on all three.   The interface for questions only allowed for 3 photos to be uploaded so now here is the picture of what I’m told is a crab apple.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 9:30 PM To: Passino2, Ben  Subject: Re: Tree Health (#0157344)

responder: Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com  Replied October 10, 2024, 10:01 AM EDT
response: I used my app ("Picture This") to identify your tree.  It was identified as a young, healthy domesticated orchard apple tree.  Suggestions for care include watering every 18 days, fertilize every 3 weeks,  prune as needed in winter.  You should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor, especially if there are lots of pollinators in your neighborhood.An orchard close by would help with cross-pollination.  Enjoy your new home and the healthy trees you have.