Trees are living things, so it stands to reason that they can get “sick” just like humans and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show appear 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 KY Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat common tree issues so that you have a much better chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist keep a tree from dying, but they are also able to help trees get healthier growth and bloom more flowers or fruit.
Have you noticed a tree on your property that has always seemed healthy but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll describe some of the most typical tree issues and what these symptoms mean.
If you spot 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 encountered by experienced arborists in Kentucky. As soon as you think one of these things could be wrong with your tree, reach out to someone with the knowledge and equipment to help!
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is actually a fungus that is very common in both trees and plants. The name originates from the yellow and brown spots this disease causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is dangerous because it prevents the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective pruning of the affected leaves. It may be necessary to remove whole limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This disease results in a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that look like a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation 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 only considered a growth malformation. A tree care specialist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even after the moist conditions are gone, mildew can continue to thrive. It appears as a powdery substance, typically white, and it often grows on the leaves of the tree first.
The trick to treating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will treat the current mildew and stop future mildew on the tree. You might also need to prune the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree condition that happens when insects 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 none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in a range of sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some shade in between.
You do not have to treat the tree for galls, but they can affect the growth of young 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
Incorrect Trimming – There’s a science to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could damage the tree beyond 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 trim trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New trees can be severely affected by drought. If you want to plant new trees on your property, you will probably have to supplement how much water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get 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 initial research before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Many species of trees can handle it just fine, 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 too much sun needs even more water to prevent wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Kentucky
A trained arborist from KY Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it.
Here are the things an arborist is trained to do:
- Inspect trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to identify exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through additives and fertilizers in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the most effective treatments.
- Trim tree limbs to remove dead or diseased branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the problem and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your property if there is no chance to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is too far gone, and cutting it down is the best choice to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
Arborists 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 again.
Some tree diseases look similar to one another, requiring an expert eye to correctly determine and treat the problem. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from KY Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.