Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can get “sick” like humans and animals. A disease or other tree issue may take a while to show appear because of the sheer size of the tree, and once you see a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from UT Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat tree issues so that there is a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist prevent a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get healthier growth and more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.
Have you ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but all of the sudden looks like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll explain some of the most common tree problems and diseases and what these symptoms mean for a tree.
If you see any of these things on any of your trees, act fast to have the best chance of saving the tree and the ones around it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most typical problems addressed by certified arborists in Utah. The moment you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, call someone with the knowledge and equipment 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 yellow and brown spots this disease produces on the leaves.
Leaf rust is a problem because it inhibits the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective trimming of the diseased leaves. It may be recommended to cut off whole branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common tree disease creates a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a 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 instances of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are simply considered a growth malformation. A tree care professional can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on just about anything in wet conditions, but even after the moist conditions are gone, mildew can persist and thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, typically white, and it usually appears on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for eliminating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will treat the current mildew and prevent future mildew growth on the tree. You might also need to prune the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree condition that occurs when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most types of galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in a range of sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can limit the growth of new 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 months.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure what to do, you could damage the tree past the point of 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 trained arborist should be trusted to prune trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be severely impacted by drought. If you plant new trees, you will need to supplement the amount of 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, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your planning before planting trees in a full-sun 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 of time and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting a lot of sun needs extra water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Utah
An experienced arborist from UT Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s happening with your sick tree and formulate a plan to save it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Review trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is often necessary to understand exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with additives and fertilizers in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the best treatments for it.
- Trim tree limbs to get rid of dead or damaged branches and to encourage healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree can survive both the disease and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your property if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is dying, and cutting it down is the best way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
They can also educate you about the other trees that you have om your property and how to best maintain them so you don’t return to the same situation in the future.
Some tree issues look similar to each other, requiring an expert opinion to correctly identify and treat the problem. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from UT Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
