Tree Lifespan

Each tree species has a different average life expectancy. Many young trees grow rapidly, and then their growth slows down as they age. Some trees live for decades, while others live for centuries. If your tree is mature and has stopped growing it is not a cause for concern. As long as the tree has healthy foliage and is not in decline then there should be nothing to worry about. However, if your tree is young or your tree has not yet reached maturity and it has stopped growing then there are likely negative factors at play.

Watering

Young or newly planted trees should be watered frequently, however, over-watering is harmful. To water the correct amount, check the soil around the tree before watering it. If the soil is still moist then you can wait a bit longer before watering again. Trees prefer to be watered slowly with a light flow of water.

Environmental Factors

Each tree species has different tolerances to environmental factors. These factors include weather, soil acidity, soil volume, temperature and amount of direct sunlight. It’s important to check the trees requirements of these factors before planting to ensure it’s in the most optimal location. Some trees will just not be ideal for your climate at all, while others will just require specific factors that can be adjusted in most locations, such as soil acidity and shade.

Poor Quality Tree

Another possibility is that you selected an unhealthy tree to begin with. When shopping for trees at your local nursery, be sure to really inspect the trees and look for any signs of poor health. Poor health can look like dead or dying branches and leaves, broken roots, girdling roots and a thin trunk that does not taper. If the tree looks like it has been neglected at the nursery, this could lead to poor growth.

Stunting

A stunted tree is a tree that has undergone extreme stress. A stunted tree must be treated with attention and care for it to survive. Once a tree has been stunted it can take years for it to return to good health. Stunting most often occurs to young trees or trees that have recently been transplanted. It is important to give good care to trees that are not yet well established to prevent stunting.