Trees are living organisms, so it stands to reason that they can get “sick” just like humans and animals. A disease or other tree issue may take a little while to show appear because of the sheer size of the tree, and once you see a symptom, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A certified arborist from WV Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat common 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 healthier growth and more flowers or fruit.
Have you noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed healthy but all of the sudden seems like something is wrong? In the next paragraphs, we’ll explain some of the most common tree issues and what these symptoms mean.
If you spot any of these things on any of the trees on your property, 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 encountered by certified arborists in West Virginia. The moment you think one of these things could be wrong with your tree, call someone with the training and equipment 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 brown and yellow spots this disease causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is bad because it inhibits the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective pruning of the diseased leaves. It might be recommended to cut off entire limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This tree disease results in a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a a broom shape. It is caused by insects, unusually wet weather or fungus. The construction of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some cases of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are simply considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a 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 texture, usually white, and it often shows up on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to treating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will treat the existing mildew and help to prevent future mildew on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a type of tree disease that appears when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to lay 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 varying sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.
You do not have to treat the tree for 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 after the leaves fall off, because this is where the insects survive during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure what you’re doing, you could harm the tree beyond 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 a trained arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New 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 will have its growth inhibited. The first sign you are likely to noticed is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your planning before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Most species of trees can handle it without issue, but too much sun can become a problem for any tree if the sun is too hot for a long period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting excessive sun needs even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in West Virginia
A trained arborist from WV Tree Trimming will be able to quickly diagnose what’s going on with your sick tree and lay out a plan to save it if at all possible.
Here are the things an arborist is trained to do:
- Review trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to see exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with fertilizers and additives in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective treatments for it.
- Prune trees to eliminate dead or damaged branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is necessary, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree can survive both the disease and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your property if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case is that the tree is dying, and removing it is the only way to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
They can also educate you about the trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation in the future.
Some tree problems look similar to one another, requiring a professional eye to accurately diagnose and correct the issue. If your trees appear to be dry, disfigured or dying, call a professional arborist from WV Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
