Trees are living organisms, so it stands to reason that they can become “sick” like people and animals. A disease or other tree problem may take a little while to show itself due to the sheer size of the tree, and once symptoms become obvious, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A professional arborist from ME Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat common tree problems so that you have a much better chance of keeping 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.
Have you ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed healthy but all of the sudden seems like something is wrong? In the next blog post, we’ll explain some of the most common tree problems and what these symptoms mean.
If you notice any of these things on any of your trees, 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 encountered by professional arborists in Maine. Once 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 plants and trees. The name comes from the brown and yellow spots this disease creates 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 tree trimming of the diseased leaves. It could be necessary to remove entire limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common tree disease creates a large grouping of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a a broom shape. It is caused by insects, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of leaves and twigs is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, others are only considered a growth malformation. A tree care specialist can tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even when the moist conditions are gone, mildew can remain and thrive. It appears as a powdery substance, 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 contains sulfur. This will treat the existing mildew and stop future mildew 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 tree condition that occurs when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to lay their eggs in. Most galls are not dangerous for the tree, but they are not attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can affect 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 insects survive during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure what you’re doing, 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 certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be severely affected by drought. If you want to plant new trees, 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 stunted. The first sign you are likely to noticed is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your research before planting trees in a sunny area. Most species of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot 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 Maine
A certified arborist from ME Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Review trees from the ground and from the branches of the tree if possible. Climbing into the canopy is usually necessary to see exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with fertilizers and additives in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective treatments.
- Prune trees to remove dead or diseased branches and to help healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree can survive both the problem 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 too far gone, and removing it is the best way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
They can also educate you about the trees that you have and how to best care for them so you don’t return to the same situation in the future.
Many tree diseases look very similar to each other, requiring a professional opinion to correctly identify and correct the issue. If your trees appear to be dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from ME Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
