Trees are living organisms, so that means 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 sheer size of the tree, and once you see a symptom, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A certified arborist from OH Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat tree issues so that there is a much greater chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist help to prevent 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 looks like something is wrong? In the next section, we’ll explain some of the most typical tree issues and what these symptoms mean.
If you notice any of these things on any of your trees, 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 frequent problems encountered by experienced arborists in Ohio. Once you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, reach out to someone with the knowledge and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is very common in both plants and trees. The name originates from the brown and yellow spots this disease creates on the leaves.
Leaf rust is bad 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 might be necessary to cut off whole branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This tree disease results in a large mass 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, others are only considered a growth malformation. A tree care specialist can diagnose the issue.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on just about anything in moist conditions, but even after the moist conditions are gone, mildew can continue to thrive. Mildew appears as a powdery texture, usually white, and it usually appears on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to treating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will remove the existing mildew and prevent future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and any leaves that were affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree disease that appears when insects build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most galls are not harmful to the tree, but they are not attractive.
Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.
You do not have to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can limit 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 live during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Improper Trimming – There’s an art to tree pruning, as well as many types, and if you don’t know how to do it, you could damage 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 a problem. Only an experienced arborist should be trusted to prune trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New trees can be severely affected by drought. If you plant new trees on your property, you will need 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, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your initial 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 even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Ohio
A trained arborist from OH Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s happening with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is qualified to do:
- Review trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is often necessary to identify exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through additives and fertilizers in the soil or products applied to the leaves. The arborist will have knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective 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 problem 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 best choice to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
Arborists can also educate 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.
Many tree problems look very similar to one another, requiring an expert eye to accurately diagnose and correct the problem. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from OH Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
