Trees are living things, so that means that they can become “sick” like people and animals can. A disease or other tree issue may take a while to show itself due to the overall size of the tree, and once symptoms become clear, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A professional arborist from VA Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat tree problems so that you have 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 are also able to help trees get healthier growth and more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.
Have you noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed healthy but all of the sudden looks like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll explain some of the most common tree issues and what these symptoms mean for a tree.
If you notice any of these things, act fast for the best chance of saving the tree and the ones nearby it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most common issues addressed by experienced arborists in Virginia. The moment you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, call someone with the training and tools 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 causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is a problem because it prevents the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective trimming of the diseased leaves. It might be recommended to remove entire branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common disease results in a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that look like a broom shape. It is caused by insects, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or danger.
Some cases of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are just considered a growth malformation. An arborist can tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in moist conditions, but even after the moist conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. It appears as a powdery substance, usually white, and it usually shows up on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to eliminating mildew is to use a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will remove the current mildew and help to stop future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to prune 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 twigs of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most types of galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in different sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.
You do not have to treat the tree if there are 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 after the leaves fall off, because this is where the insects survive during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Pruning – There’s a discipline to tree pruning, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure 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) can be just as big of an issue. Only an experienced arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly impacted by drought. If you plant new trees, you will need to supplement how much water they get from rainfall. A tree that is not getting enough water can have its growth inhibited. The first sign you are likely to see is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some research before planting trees in a sunny area. Many types of trees can handle it without issue, 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 too much sun needs extra water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Virginia
A certified arborist from VA Tree Trimming will quickly identify what’s happening with your sick tree and put together a plan to save it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is qualified to do:
- Inspect trees from below and from the branches of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is usually necessary to identify exactly what is causing the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with fertilizers and additives in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the most effective treatments for it.
- Trim trees to get rid of dead or diseased branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the disease and the pruning process.
- Remove the tree from your property if there is no chance to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is dying, and cutting it down is the only way to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
They can also inform you about the trees that you have om your property and how to best maintain them so you don’t return to the same situation in the future.
Some tree diseases look similar to each other, requiring a professional eye to correctly determine and correct the issue. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from VA Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
