There are always new insects and diseases that are arriving in the Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania area, plus others that continue to spread rapidly. Given that prevention is often the best option, we recommend an annual inspection by a knowledgeable tree care professional. They will identify potential problems in your landscape (such as poor soil conditions), evaluate the health of your trees and shrubs, and recommend appropriate treatment options to increase plant vigor and head off problems before they start. You should also call a professional if your trees or shrubs show signs of decline (such as slow growth, small or yellowing leaves, prematurely dropping leaves, or dead branches) have an insect infestation (check our extensive collection of information about garden pests for signs and symptoms)  are affected by a disease (you'll usually notice signs of decline, strange growths on the tree, spots or fuzzy areas on leaves, mushrooms around the tree base, or other things that don't look "right", such as these tree diseases that are common in New Jersey and Pennsylvania