Common Tree Diseases
A common plant and tree problem in landscapes are diseases. It can be challenging to diagnose the various diseases trees are susceptible to with the naked eye. Most disease is spread through tiny, or even microscopic growth and spores. However, the outward symptoms and signs a tree exhibits is often an excellent indicator of the disease.
Tree diseases can impact every (and any) part of the tree. Typically diseases are named for the type of damage they cause or the part of the tree they affect. For example, common diseases are defoliation, scab and blister, leaf spot, needle cast, leaf blotch, and chlorosis or yellowing - all of these are named for the symptom. Galls, stem canker, and trunk and root rot are named after the affected part of the tree and prominent tree diseases.
Before treating a tree, it is paramount you diagnose what the disorder is. A proper diagnosis is the first and most critical step in implementing and treating the tree, which will allow you to address the disease vs just treating a symptom. A certified arborist is best enlisted to both diagnose and treat a diseased tree.
Below are some of the most common diseases that affect the Western North Carolina region:
Tree diseases can impact every (and any) part of the tree. Typically diseases are named for the type of damage they cause or the part of the tree they affect. For example, common diseases are defoliation, scab and blister, leaf spot, needle cast, leaf blotch, and chlorosis or yellowing - all of these are named for the symptom. Galls, stem canker, and trunk and root rot are named after the affected part of the tree and prominent tree diseases.
Before treating a tree, it is paramount you diagnose what the disorder is. A proper diagnosis is the first and most critical step in implementing and treating the tree, which will allow you to address the disease vs just treating a symptom. A certified arborist is best enlisted to both diagnose and treat a diseased tree.
Below are some of the most common diseases that affect the Western North Carolina region:
Phytophthora Crown & Root Rot
Symptoms - a combination of discolored or wilting of foliage and crown dying giving an unhealthy appearance.
Diagnosis - Many species of trees can be inflicted with Phytophthora for many years prior to death when impacting the roots. However, if the tree's crown is affected, death can be quick, usually less than one year.
Treatment - immature trees are especially susceptible to Phytophthora because of their underdeveloped crowns and roots. Proper soil drainage is a good preventative and treatment for Phytophthora since the disease loves warm, wet soil.
Diagnosis - Many species of trees can be inflicted with Phytophthora for many years prior to death when impacting the roots. However, if the tree's crown is affected, death can be quick, usually less than one year.
Treatment - immature trees are especially susceptible to Phytophthora because of their underdeveloped crowns and roots. Proper soil drainage is a good preventative and treatment for Phytophthora since the disease loves warm, wet soil.
Anthracnose
Symptoms - in this diseases case, the name refers to a symptom instead of the fungus. Common symptoms of Anthracnose is irregular blotches or dead areas on leaves. Often entire leaves are affected.
Diagnosis - a visual inspection by and experience arborist is generally all that is needed to pinpoint this disease.
Treatment - an over-the-counter general anti-fungal powder applies weekly can usually reduce and even eliminate Anthracnose
Diagnosis - a visual inspection by and experience arborist is generally all that is needed to pinpoint this disease.
Treatment - an over-the-counter general anti-fungal powder applies weekly can usually reduce and even eliminate Anthracnose
Oak Wilt
Symptoms - Oak Wilt is spread from oak trees in one of two ways: insects and via root graft infections, which is when roots from two different Oaks come into contact with each other under the ground. Typically the symptoms include partially brown and green leaves and leaf wilting.
Diagnosis - again, a trained and experienced arborist can easily identify Oak Wilt
Treatment - if insects are suspected to be the problem, then an insecticide that addresses the specific insect thought to spread the disease is usually sufficient to stop the spread of the disease. If caused by the roots, treatment is very difficult short of removing nearby trees.
Diagnosis - again, a trained and experienced arborist can easily identify Oak Wilt
Treatment - if insects are suspected to be the problem, then an insecticide that addresses the specific insect thought to spread the disease is usually sufficient to stop the spread of the disease. If caused by the roots, treatment is very difficult short of removing nearby trees.
Fire Blight
Symptoms - is caused by a bacterial infection
Diagnosis - twig dieback and leaves that curl up towards the stem
Treatment - treating Fire Blight can be very challenging, even for a seasoned arborist. While the disease is easy to diagnose, the treatment option is limited to selective anti-bacteria sprays. Recovery rates for tree affected my Fire Blight is less than 50%.
Diagnosis - twig dieback and leaves that curl up towards the stem
Treatment - treating Fire Blight can be very challenging, even for a seasoned arborist. While the disease is easy to diagnose, the treatment option is limited to selective anti-bacteria sprays. Recovery rates for tree affected my Fire Blight is less than 50%.