December 23, 2020 Just like people, trees suffer from illnesses and diseases as well. Many people know that trees suffer from illnesses. However, not everyone can identify these illnesses or even know what to look for. Knowing the diseases to look out for can prolong your tree’s life, and the plant life around it. Causes of Stress in Trees Trees suffer stress, and it comes through many factors. Drought and overcrowding stand as the most common reasons for tree stress. Trees become extremely stressed when their roots begin bumping into other plant life or objects as they try to grow. Overwatering also takes a toll on trees and their roots and could kill a tree rather than hydrate it. Humans are another factor that cause stress in trees. This one doesn’t get as much attention but stands just as true as the other reasons. The amount of human activity around a tree causes more stress than bugs and diseases. The amount of stress a tree receives could lead it to become damaged or wounded, leaving the door open for bugs and diseases to come and finish it off. Common Diseases in Trees and How to Address Them Anthracnose This is a common one and one you’ve probably seen before. When a tree has anthracnose, its leaves begin to develop dark scabs. This leaves the tree with leaves that look like they are rotting away, spotted about with little holes. This type of disease usually doesn’t require complex treatment, but you can do things to help. Since this disease spreads easier when it’s windy and wet, pruning away the dead leaves helps contain the disease. Canker Disease This is also one that many have seen. These canker wounds show up in trees as dark knots and can be found anywhere on the tree. If it’s wrapped or formed on a branch, it could cause the branch to die. If it is wrapped or knotted around the trunk itself, the whole tree could die. These diseases usually come about from already existing wounds in the tree. Open wounds in a tree invite all types of infections, so making sure that trees avoid open wounds in the first place is an excellent way to prevent them. Planting a tree in an open space with minimal interaction and exposure to chemicals and mechanical equipment can help prevent open wounds. If the tree already has branches with cankers on it, then prune them with sterilized tools to avoid infection spread. Fire Blight This is one that is not commonly heard or seen, so it’s essential to watch out for. Fire Blight appears because of bacteria in warm, moist weather. This disease gives tree leaves a “scorched by fire” look. If the leaves on trees go from bright and green to black and wilted, it is cause for concern. Bees, rain, and infected tools can all spread the disease. To address it, make sure to prune the tree and infected branches back to the uninfected wood. As the seasons change, be sure to check on your trees regularly. When It Has Gone Too Far If you don’t know what to do or where to go to fix one of these issues, call us. Sometimes, the problems are too far gone, and the best course of action is to get an expert. We can help address tree health, prune the trees for you, or even remove the tree if necessary. Whatever your plant problems may be, we can help.
