Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can become “sick” like humans and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show up due to the sheer size of the tree, and once you identify a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from AR Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat common tree issues so that you have a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist stop a tree from dying, but they are also able to help trees get more healthy growth and more flowers or fruit.
Have you ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next paragraphs, we’ll explain some of the most typical tree issues 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 Arkansas. As soon as you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, contact someone with the training and equipment to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is very common in both trees and plants. The name originates from the brown and yellow spots this disease causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is dangerous because it prevents the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective pruning of the affected leaves. It may be necessary to cut off whole limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common disease creates a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that look like a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The construction 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 tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even after the wet conditions are over with, mildew can continue to thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery substance, typically white, and it usually grows on the leaves of the tree first.
The trick to eliminating mildew is to use a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will remove the existing mildew and stop future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree disease that appears when insects 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 they are not attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some shade 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 after the leaves fall off, since this is where the insects survive during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Improper Trimming – There’s a science to tree pruning, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could damage the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) can be just as big of a problem. Only a trained arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be severely impacted by drought. If you decide to plant new trees on your property, you will need to supplement how much water they get from rainfall. A tree that is not getting enough water will have its growth stunted. The first symptom you are likely to noticed is scorched, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some research before planting trees in a sunny area. Many types of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is harsh for an extended 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 Arkansas
An experienced arborist from AR Tree Trimming will quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and come up with a plan to save it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is qualified 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 products sprayed on the leaves. This person will have knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the best treatments.
- Trim trees to eliminate dead or damaged branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the issue and the pruning.
- Remove the tree from your property if there is no chance to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is too far gone, and removing it is the only way to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
They can also inform you about the other trees that you have and how to best care for them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation in the future.
Some tree problems look very similar to one another, requiring an expert opinion to correctly identify and correct the issue. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from AR Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
