The trees on your property serve multiple purposes, from creating shade to providing a natural aesthetic that beautifies your home. However, when you notice that your tree is not healthy because of discolored leaves or peeling bark, it can be disheartening. After all, trees provide additional value to your property, and when one has a disease, it can infect other trees. Therefore, our Bristol ISA-Certified arborists at Promier Tree share on the blog today seven common tree diseases and how to treat them so that you can protect the trees on your property.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose attacks deciduous trees like Sycamore, oak, and ash and causes dark, sunken lesions on stems, fruits, leaves, and flowers. Since the fungi require water to spread and infect trees, this disease is more common during cold, wet spring seasons. Fortunately, anthracnose typically doesn’t require treatment because it is not a serious threat, even though it can cosmetically impact your tree.
Apple Scab
Apple scab commonly appears on apple, crabapple, mountain ash, and pear trees. Caused by a fungus that infects the tree leaves and fruit, apple scab can render tree fruit inedible. Our Kingsport tree disease experts explain that leaf spots may appear in an olive green color that later turns to a dark brown or black, similar to the fruit. Unfortunately, fungicides fail to work on infected trees but can help prevent the disease from attacking healthy trees.
Canker Diseases
Multiple varieties of canker diseases can infect trees. For example, Cytospora canker can affect pine, spruce, poplar, and Willow trees. Canker disease develops when a bacterial or fungal pathogen enters the bark through a wound. Unfortunately, the disease will eventually block the tree’s vascular system and prevent nutrients from flowing throughout the tree. Canker diseases found on branches may cause the branch to die, as is the same with the tree trunk.
Diplodia Tip Blight
Blight is a disease that can affect multiple tree species, but it’s more common on conifers, specifically Austrian pine. Unfortunately, blight causes stunted new growth, tip and cone discoloration, and eventually tree death. However, our Johnson City ISA-Certified arborists explain that stressed trees are more likely to develop Blight, so maintain mulch levels and water the tree during dry periods.
Oak Wilt
Oak Wilt is a fungal disease that specifically attacks oak trees. The red oak group is at a higher risk for fatality than those in the white oak group, which is less susceptible to Oak Wilt. You may notice leaves quickly wilting and turning brown starting at the tree top. Unfortunately, Oak Wilt easily passes from one tree to another through their roots or by pests.
Powdery Mildew
One of the easiest diseases to spot is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus that produces a powdery white coating covering tree foliage. When left untreated, leaves can turn yellow and drop prematurely. Our Tri-Cities tree care pros explain that powdery mildew typically attacks trees in shady areas that have high humidity but no rain. Therefore, if it looks like it snowed during an unseasonable time, you should contact an arborist for a health evaluation and treatment options.
Phytophthora Root Rot
Phytophthora Root Rot typically attacks trees in poor drainage areas. The fungal disease can make your trees appear as though they are drought-stressed, with leaves wilting or turning pale green or yellow. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for root rot, but there are ways to prevent it. For example, plant trees higher than the surrounding landscape elements for proper drainage.
How can I protect my trees from disease?
The first step in tree disease prevention is monitoring. As a property owner, you should schedule a tree health evaluation at least once per year to ensure there’s no pest or disease activity. Our arborists in Bristol explain that regular evaluations can treat tree diseases early and potentially save them. Although there’s no method to 100% protect your trees from disease, consistent monitoring can alert you to early warning signs of disease.
Certified Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
It can be shocking when you discover that a tree on your property is infected with a disease. However, with proper monitoring and treatment by an ISA-Certified arborist in Kingsport, you can maintain healthy trees longer. So, when you spot tree disease, please contact us at Promier Tree by calling (423) 765-2626 or contact us online.