Trees are living things, so it stands to reason that they can get “sick” like humans and animals. A disease or other tree issue might take a while to show itself because of the overall size of the tree, and once you notice a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from NC Tree Trimming can diagnose and treat common tree issues so that there is a much greater chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an experienced arborist keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get healthier growth and more flowers or fruit with professional tree trimming.
Have you ever noticed a tree on your property that has always seemed OK but all of the sudden looks like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll explain some of the most typical tree problems and diseases and what these symptoms mean.
If you spot any of these things on any of the trees on your property, 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 common problems addressed by professional arborists in North Carolina. As soon as you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, contact someone with the knowledge and equipment to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is common in both plants and trees. The name comes from the brown and yellow spots this disease creates on the leaves.
Leaf rust is a problem because it interferes with the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective trimming of the affected leaves. It might be recommended to remove entire branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This tree disease results in a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble a broom shape. It is caused by insects, 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, others are just considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even after the wet conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. It usually appears as a powdery substance, usually white, and it often shows up on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for eliminating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will treat the current mildew and stop future mildew growth on the tree. You might also need to trim the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and leaves that were affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree condition that occurs when insects build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most types of galls are not dangerous for the tree, but they are not attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some shade in between.
You do not have to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can affect the growth of new trees. Treat galls by killing the pests. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, because this is where the insects survive during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Trimming – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could harm the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) can be just as big of a problem. Only a trained arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly impacted by drought. If you decide to plant new trees, you will need to supplement how much water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get enough water will have its growth stunted. The first sign you are likely to see is scorched, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some initial planning before planting trees in a sunny area. Many types of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot for a long period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting a lot of sun needs even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in North Carolina
An experienced arborist from NC Tree Trimming will quickly diagnose what’s going on with your sick tree and formulate a plan to rescue it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Evaluate trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is often necessary to understand exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through additives and fertilizers in the soil or solutions applied to the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective treatments.
- Prune tree limbs to eliminate dead or diseased branches and to encourage healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is necessary, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the issue and the pruning.
- Remove the tree from your property if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case is that the tree is too far gone, and cutting it down is the only choice to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
They can also inform you about the other trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation again.
Some tree issues look very similar to one another, requiring an expert opinion to correctly diagnose and treat the issue. If your trees are looking dry, disfigured or dying, call a certified arborist from NC Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
