Trees are living things, so that means that they can get “sick” like people and animals. A disease or other tree issue may take a while to show up because of the overall size of the tree, and once you notice a symptom, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from CO Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat tree issues so that there is a much better chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and bloom more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.
Have you noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but all of the sudden looks like something is wrong? In the next paragraphs, we’ll describe some of the most common tree issues and what these symptoms mean for a tree.
If you see any of these things, 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 issues addressed by professional arborists in Colorado. As soon as you think one of these things could be wrong with your tree, contact someone with the training and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is very common in both trees and plants. The name comes from the yellow and brown 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 tended to with fungicides and selective pruning of the diseased leaves. It may be recommended to cut off entire branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common tree disease creates a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble 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 cases of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, while others are just considered a growth malformation. A tree care professional can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in moist conditions, but even when the wet conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, typically white, and it usually grows on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for eliminating mildew is to use a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will eliminate the current mildew and prevent future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and any leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a type of tree disease that happens when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to lay their eggs in. Most types of galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in different sizes. They are often 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 young trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree after the leaves fall off, because this is where the pests survive during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could harm the tree past the point of 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 certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New trees can be severely impacted by drought. If you want to plant new trees, you will probably have to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that is not getting enough water will have its growth inhibited. The first sign you are likely to noticed 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 of your property. Many types of trees can handle it without issue, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is harsh for a long period of time and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting a lot of sun needs even more water to prevent wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Colorado
An experienced arborist from CO Tree Trimming will quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and come up with a plan to rescue it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Inspect trees from below and from the branches of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to identify exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with fertilizers and additives in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the most effective treatments.
- Trim trees to eliminate dead or diseased branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is needed, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree can survive both the problem and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your yard if there is no chance to save it. The worst case is that the tree is dying, and removing it is the best way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
They 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 in the future.
Many tree issues look very similar to one another, requiring an expert opinion to accurately identify and correct the problem. If your trees appear to be dry, disfigured or dying, call a certified arborist from CO Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
