Trees are living things, so that means that they can get “sick” like people and animals can. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show itself due to 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 LA Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat common tree problems so that there is a much greater chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist help to keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and more flowers or fruit.
Have you ever 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 describe some of the most typical tree issues and what these symptoms mean.
If you spot any of these things on any of your trees, 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 typical issues addressed by certified arborists in Louisiana. Once you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, call someone with the training 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 yellow and brown spots this disease causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is bad because it prevents the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective trimming of the affected leaves. It could be necessary to remove entire branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This disease creates a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of leaves and twigs is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, while others are simply considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on just about anything in moist conditions, but even when the wet conditions are gone, mildew can continue to thrive. Mildew appears as a powdery texture, typically white, and it often appears on the leaves of a tree first.
The the best method for treating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will remove the current mildew and prevent future mildew on the tree. You might also need to trim the tree to remove limbs, 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 leave their eggs in. Most types of galls are not dangerous for the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can inhibit 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, since this is where the insects live during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Pruning – There’s an art to tree pruning, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could harm the tree past the point of recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) can be just as big of an issue. Only an experienced arborist should be trusted to prune trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly affected by drought. If you plant new trees, 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 inhibited. The first symptom you are likely to noticed 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. Most types 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 excessive sun needs even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Louisiana
A trained arborist from LA Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s happening 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 branches of the tree if possible. Climbing into the canopy is typically necessary to identify exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through fertilizers and additives in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the best treatments.
- Trim tree limbs to get rid of dead or diseased branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is necessary, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree survives both the issue and the trimming.
- Remove the tree from your lawn 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 only way 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 return to the same situation in the future.
Some tree diseases look very similar to each other, requiring an expert opinion to correctly diagnose and correct the problem. If your trees are looking dry, disfigured or dying, call a certified arborist from LA Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
