Be on the lookout for these common tree diseases and make sure you contact an expert if you notice any warning signs.
Whether you have a small tidy yard with a few trees or a sprawling orchard on your property, it is important to be able to recognize and treat some common tree diseases. You will want to avoid your trees getting sick and dying at all costs, as the removal of a dead tree can be costly and time consuming. Keep your property looking sharp by taking great care of your trees. Tree diseases can affect any part of the tree, including branches, leaves, or the trunk. In fact, some diseases can impact the entire tree itself. This article will detail a few common tree diseases so that you know what to look for next time you are admiring the trees on your beautiful property.
Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot
Trees with this disease show a combination of outer crown dieback and a loss of foliage. With this illness, the entire tree will appear unhealthy. Trees can live with phytophthora for a long time, even years, before they actually die. Young trees are most vulnerable to phytophthora because of their young root systems and crows. Make sure that your young trees are in a place with excellent soil drainage, and you should be able to prevent your trees from contracting this illness.
Oak Wilt
Oak wilt affects most types of oaks, although symptoms may manifest differently depending on the species of tree. In red oaks, leaves will die from the top down and the outside in. The bark will also be marked by dark streaking, and surrounding red oaks will most likely be affected as well. In white oaks, the disease progresses much more slowly, as branches will die one by one over time. This is a fungal disease that can be spread by insects or by root graft infections.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is very common in deciduous trees and is spread via a bacterial infection. This results in twig dieback. Trees affected by fire blight will display unhealthy branches that look like a shepherd’s crook and appear burnt.
Sooty Mold
Sooty mold is more of a nuisance than anything else, but it still means any tree infected with it is measurably unhealthy. The mold uses honeydew that is secreted by sucking insects to feed and grow. The mold is not dangerous, but it can drop onto below shrubs, trees, cars, and houses. Mostly, this mold is ugly but it probably will not cause your tree to die.
Questions? Call Harford Tree
If you still have more questions regarding tree diseases, we here at Harford Tree are here to help. We service Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City. Give us a call at 410-592-7321 or in an emergency at 443-250-6649. Be sure to follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to see what we are up to.