Trees are living things, so it stands to reason that they can get “sick” just 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 identify a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A professional arborist from GA Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat common tree problems so that there is a much better 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 bloom more flowers or fruit.
Have you noticed a tree on your property 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 what these symptoms mean.
If you see 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 nearby it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most common problems encountered by certified arborists in Georgia. The moment you think one of these things could be wrong with your tree, contact someone with the knowledge 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 comes from the brown and yellow spots this disease creates 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 diseased leaves. It could be recommended to remove whole limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This tree disease creates a large grouping of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a a broom shape. It is caused by insects, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of leaves and twigs is the tree’s reaction to infection or danger.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, while others are only considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on just about anything in wet conditions, but even when the moist conditions are gone, mildew can persist and thrive. It appears as a powdery substance, typically white, and it usually appears on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to eliminating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will eliminate the current mildew and stop future mildew on the tree. You may also need to prune the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and leaves that were 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 branches of a tree to lay their eggs in. Most types of galls are not dangerous for the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some shade in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can limit 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 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) is just as big of an issue. Only an experienced arborist should be trusted to trim trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be severely affected by drought. If you plant new trees on your property, you will probably have 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 noticed is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your 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 happen to 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 prevent wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Georgia
An experienced arborist from GA Tree Trimming will be able to quickly diagnose what’s going on with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it.
Here are the things an arborist is qualified to do:
- Evaluate trees from the ground and from the limbs of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to understand exactly what is causing the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through fertilizers and additives in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the best treatments for it.
- Prune trees to remove dead or damaged branches and to assist 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 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 care for them so you don’t return to the same situation again.
Many tree diseases look similar to one another, requiring an expert eye to correctly diagnose and treat the issue. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from GA Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
