Summer has officially arrived in Memphis, and with it comes the heat, the humidity, and the rapid growth that puts real stress on the trees in your yard. While most homeowners think of tree trimming as a fall or spring task, June is actually one of the most important months to assess your trees and get ahead of potential problems.
Here are five signs your trees are telling you they need attention right now, plus why waiting until fall could cost you more.
- You’re Noticing Dead or Hanging Branches
After the spring growth surge, dead wood becomes easier to spot. Look for branches with no leaves, dry cracked bark, or limbs that appear to be hanging at an odd angle. These are called “widow makers” for good reason, a Memphis summer storm can send them crashing down without warning.
Dead branches don’t just pose a safety risk. They’re also an entry point for insects and disease that can spread to healthy parts of the tree. Removing them in June, before storm season peaks in late summer, keeps your property and your family safe.
- Branches Are Crowding Power Lines or Your Roofline
Trees grow fast in Memphis heat. A branch that seemed safely clear of your roof or utility lines in March may now be pressing up against them. This is a job for professionals, never attempt to trim branches near power lines yourself.
Overgrowth near your home also means more moisture retention against your roof, which can lead to mold, rot, and shingle damage. A summer trim creates the clearance your home needs.
- The Canopy Has Become Too Dense
A thick, overcrowded canopy might look lush, but it actually works against your tree’s health. Dense growth blocks airflow and sunlight from reaching the interior branches and the ground below. In Memphis’s humid summers, poor airflow leads to fungal problems that can take years to fully treat.
Selective crown thinning allows light and air to circulate properly, reducing disease pressure and actually helping your tree grow stronger and more balanced.
- You See Crossing or Rubbing Branches
Branches that rub against each other create open wounds in the bark — and in summer, those wounds are an open invitation for pests and disease. Common culprits in the Memphis area include oak wilt, hypoxylon canker, and emerald ash borer, all of which can move quickly through stressed trees.
Early intervention in June means catching these issues before the heat of July and August makes your trees even more vulnerable.
- The Tree Looks “Off” — Leaning, Thinning, or Discolored
Trust your gut. If a tree in your yard looks different than it did this time last year, leaning slightly, losing leaves on one side, showing yellowing or unusual discoloration, something is likely wrong. These can be signs of root stress, soil compaction, disease, or structural problems that a certified arborist should assess.
The sooner a problem is identified, the more options you have for saving the tree. Why June Specifically?
Most deciduous trees (oaks, maples, elms, sweetgums) are best trimmed when they’re fully leafed out or in dormancy, not mid-transition. By June, trees have finished their spring growth flush, meaning trimming wounds heal more efficiently and the stress on the tree is minimized. It’s also the ideal time to spot issues that weren’t visible earlier in the season.
And practically speaking scheduling in June means you beat the rush. By the time a summer storm damages a tree in August, every tree service in Memphis is booked out for weeks.
Ready to Schedule?
The team at Mister Tree Service has been serving Memphis homeowners and businesses for years. Whether you need a safety inspection, crown thinning, dead limb removal, or a full assessment of your property’s trees, we’re here to help.
Call us today or visit mistertreeservice.com to schedule your tree care appointment.
