Trees are living things, so that means that they can get “sick” just like people and animals can. A disease or other tree issue might take a while to show itself due to the sheer size of the tree, and once you notice a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A professional arborist from TN Tree Trimming can identify and treat tree issues so that you have a much better chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist help to 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 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.
If you notice 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 problems encountered by experienced arborists in Tennessee. As soon as you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, contact someone with the knowledge and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is 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 inhibits the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective tree trimming of the diseased leaves. It may 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 form a a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The construction of a clump of leaves and twigs is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are only considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the issue.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even after the moist conditions are over with, mildew can continue to thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, usually white, and it often appears on the leaves of a tree first.
The the best method for eliminating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will eliminate the current mildew and help to stop 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 condition that appears when insects 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 they are not attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in different sizes. They can be 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 insects. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, because this is where the pests live during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect Trimming – There’s an art to tree pruning, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure how to do it, you could damage the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) is just as big of a problem. Only a certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly impacted by drought. If you decide 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 will have its growth inhibited. The first symptom you are likely to see is scorched, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some planning before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Many types of trees can handle it without issue, but too much sun can become a problem for any tree if the sun is harsh for a long period of time 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 Tennessee
An experienced arborist from TN Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s happening with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it.
Here are the things an arborist is trained to do:
- Review trees from below and from the branches of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to understand exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through fertilizers and additives in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. The arborist will have knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective treatments for it.
- Prune tree limbs to get rid of dead or damaged branches and to encourage healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is necessary, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree can survive both the problem and the trimming process.
- 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 choice to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
Arborists 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 find yourself in the same situation again.
Some tree problems look similar to each other, requiring a professional eye to correctly diagnose and treat the issue. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from TN Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
