Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can become “sick” just like humans and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show itself because of the overall size of the tree, and once you identify a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from OR Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat tree issues so that you have a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist stop a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and more flowers or fruit.
Have you noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but all of the sudden seems like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll explain some of the most common tree problems and diseases and what these symptoms mean for a tree.
If you see any of these things, act fast to have the best chance of saving the tree and the ones around it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most frequent issues encountered by experienced arborists in Oregon. The moment you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, contact someone with the training and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is actually a fungus that is very common in both plants and trees. The name originates from the yellow and brown spots this disease creates on the leaves.
Leaf rust is a problem because it inhibits the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective trimming of the affected leaves. It may be recommended to remove whole branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This disease creates a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that look like a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or danger.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, while others are simply considered a growth malformation. A tree care specialist can tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on almost anything in moist conditions, but even when the wet conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. Mildew appears as a powdery substance, typically white, and it usually appears on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for treating mildew is to apply a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will eliminate the existing mildew and stop future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to prune the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and any leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree condition that appears when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most galls are not harmful to the tree, but they are not attractive.
Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in varying sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some shade in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can inhibit the growth of young trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, since this is where the pests live during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Trimming – There’s a discipline to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could harm the tree past the point of recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or a lack of pruning at all) is just as big of a problem. Only a trained arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New trees can be severely affected by drought. If you want to plant new trees, you will need to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that is not getting enough water can have its growth stunted. The first symptom you are likely to see is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some initial planning before planting trees in a sunny area of your property. Most species of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot for an extended period of time and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting excessive sun needs extra water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Oregon
A certified arborist from OR Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and come up with a plan to rescue it.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Inspect trees from the ground and from the limbs of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is often necessary to see exactly what is causing the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through additives and fertilizers in the soil or products applied to the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the best treatments for it.
- Prune tree limbs to get rid of dead or diseased branches and to help healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is necessary, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree can survive both the disease and the trimming.
- Remove the tree from your property if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is too far gone, and removing it is the only way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
Arborists can also inform you about the trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t return to the same situation again.
Many tree issues look similar to one another, requiring an expert eye to accurately diagnose and correct the problem. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from OR Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
