When your trees start looking “off” — maybe their leaves are dull, the canopy’s thinning, or the bark just doesn’t look right — it’s easy to assume it’s just the weather or bad luck. But at Cartwright Tree Care, we know that every yellow leaf, crack, or fungus spot tells a story.
Diagnosing tree diseases isn’t guesswork — it’s detective work. And it’s something our ISA-certified arborists and tree health experts take seriously.
Every diagnosis starts on-site, with a detailed inspection from one of our certified tree health professionals. We look at more than just the visible symptoms — we evaluate the tree’s entire environment to understand what’s really going on.
Our arbor consultants look for subtle signs that might go unnoticed to the untrained eye, such as:
Discoloration or early leaf drop
Cracks or lesions in bark and branches
Irregular growth patterns or dieback in the canopy
Presence of fungi, decay, or insect activity
Soil texture, moisture, and drainage issues
If something doesn’t add up, we don’t stop there — we dig deeper.
Once an arbor consultant identifies potential issues, we may perform additional testing to confirm the cause. This can include:
Soil analysis to check nutrient levels, pH, and compaction
Core sampling to assess internal decay or disease spread
Tissue inspection to look for pathogens or fungal growth under the bark
These tests give us real, measurable data — so instead of guessing what’s wrong, we can pinpoint the exact problem and design a precise solution.
Because treating the wrong issue doesn’t just waste time and money — it can make your trees worse.
Tree health isn’t isolated — it’s connected to the environment around it. Our experts always consider outside factors that could be contributing to decline, such as:
Environmental stressors: heat, drought, or storm damage
Soil conditions: poor aeration or waterlogging
Irrigation patterns: too much or too little water
Nearby construction: root damage or compaction from heavy equipment
This holistic approach helps us identify not just what is affecting your trees — but why it’s happening in the first place.
Once we’ve identified the cause, we develop a customized treatment plan based on your tree’s species, the severity of the disease, and your property’s long-term goals.
Depending on the diagnosis, your plan may include:
Fungal or insect treatments to stop disease spread
Deep root fertilization to strengthen recovery
Soil aeration or improvement to support healthier roots
Pruning or cabling to reduce structural stress
Tree Growth Regulator treatments for long-term vitality
Our goal isn’t just to fix the symptoms — it’s to restore balance, resilience, and beauty to your landscape.
At Cartwright Tree Care, we believe that diagnosing and treating trees is both a science and an art. Our arbor consultants and certified arborist combine decades of experience with cutting-edge technology to protect Kansas City’s trees from pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
Whether you’re dealing with oak wilt in Liberty, root rot in Overland Park, or canopy thinning in Lee’s Summit, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening and take action before small problems turn into big ones.
If your trees are showing signs of stress or decline, don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule a tree health evaluation with our certified arborists today. We’ll identify the problem, explain your options clearly, and design a treatment plan to help your trees thrive for years to come.
📍 Proudly serving the entire Kansas City metro area, including Raymore, Blue Springs, Overland Park, Leawood, and Parkville.