Trees, like humans, become sick. When trees get ill, they might lose their fruits, their aesthetics, as well as their overall strength. The tree’s trunk may become exceedingly weak over time, causing it to break or die. Trees provide shade, protection from the rain, and protection from the sun’s heat, as well as adding value to our property. So when the tree’s defences against diseases are compromised, infections can set in, inflicting more damage.
Knowing what to look for, how to spot them, and how to deal with them once they appear will help you protect your tree from further damage. Below are some of the most prevalent tree diseases, as well as how to recognize them and treat them.
Common Tree Diseases
- Tar Spot
This is a relatively common tree fungal disease that strikes in the early summer or late spring. It’s actually rather common, and you’ve probably seen it in your own trees or in the trees around your neighbourhood. It is most commonly found on maple trees, but it is not limited to them.
What Does Tar Spot Look Like?
Yellowish dots on infected leaves are one of the first indications of a tar spot infection. These dots are usually ⅛ of an inch in diameter. The yellow spot can get bigger or retain the same size over time. It will reach a size of approximately ¾ inches when it matures. You should also keep in mind that the yellow spots will turn black with time, resembling tar lumps, hence the name.
What Should You Do When Your Tree Develops Tar Spots?
First and foremost, don’t be alarmed; this is a relatively common disease that merely poses an aesthetic threat to your trees. It’s not harmful, and the worst it can do is discolour your trees’ foliage. Cleaning your environment can help to limit or eradicate the spread of tar sickness. Make sure you get rid of the contaminated leaves as soon as they fall. If your locality allows it, you can burn leaves to help get rid of the fungi that cause tar disease. Make sure the temperature of the fallen leaves is at least 140° Fahrenheit when you burn and compost them. Turn the compost pile occasionally to ensure that all of the leaves have been completely burnt.
- Black Knot
Black knot disease is caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, which is a very prevalent tree disease. This disease affects cherry and plum trees in particular.
What Does It Look Like?
Its most distinguishing feature is the growth of tar-like swellings in the branches of the tree, but it isn’t immediately black right away. What happens first is that the growth is usually coloured green or olive. The swelling grows over time and it becomes fully mature in about 2 to 3 years. These black fully matured galls are about 4 to 6 inches in size. This type of disease is very fast in transmission most especially when the galls rupture so it’s best to act immediately when you see the signs.
What Do You Have to Do?
To remove the infected branches, cut them at least 6 to 8 inches below the knot. Of course, in order to prevent the infection from spreading or infecting neighbouring branches, you must also clean the cutting materials that you used. Always keep the area before and after clean.
Remember that this illness spreads quickly, and even though it appears that only the aesthetics of your tree have been harmed, this disease can be fatal for your trees. So that there are no chances of reinfection, you must always cut the infected branch down to where you can already see some healthy shoots. When you’ve successfully removed all of the contaminated branches, throw them away right away or burn them if your locality allows it. Even after being removed, diseased branches can continue to release spores for up to 4 months. Finally, because this form of sickness requires correct tree pruning, it would be ideal if you could hire a professional tree care service provider to assist you.
- Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects garden plants and trees. Each species targets a different type of plant. When powder mildew appears on the leaves of some of your garden plants, the spores might be carried by the wind and spread to other plants and trees, causing the disease. How does powdery mildew affect how your trees grow? It can cause your tree’s growth to slow down, as well as reduce fruit yield in fruit-bearing trees.
How Does Powdery Mildew Look?
Powdery Mildew appears as a white powdery residue on the tree leaves’ surface. They appear to have been dusted with flour when you first encounter them. It is most usually found on the upper surface, but it can also affect the bottom or undersides.
What Should You Do?
Powdery mildew thrives in dark environments, so grow your trees in places where it’s sunny. Be careful to prune your trees on a regular basis to allow for enough air circulation. It’s generally difficult to help your trees if they’ve been seriously affected, so recognize the indications as soon as they appear. If you find sick leaves, always cut them off and remove them to prevent the infection from spreading. Although this disease seldom kills trees, it can severely damage your tree’s appearance and foliage. So always get ahead of the disease. Remove and clean all the time.
- Canker Disease
Canker disease makes the tree more susceptible to other diseases. When a tree is unwell, it is more difficult for it to recover from canker disease. Young trees, on the other hand, may normally recover faster and better.
What Does Canker Disease Look Like?
It’s usually visible as a discoloured section of a branch or trunk. It can present itself as discoloured areas or gloomy parts. With this type of disease, what happens is that a fungus has gotten between the bark and the tree, causing that area of the tree to perish.
How Do You Treat It?
While most trees are susceptible to canker disease, fruit-bearing trees are more likely to have it. Canker illnesses can be treated in a variety of ways, the majority of which require the use of professional services. Insecticides or fungal sprays are used by these professional companies to treat the condition. Also, as soon as you notice it, remove the infested parts right away.
Trees are important so why do we take them for granted?. We leave them as they are and think they don’t need to be taken care of. But trees need care, and prevention is always better than cure. Before you go out and buy a tree, make sure you know everything there is to know about the species. If you already have one, make sure to keep an eye out for any early signs of disease so you can take care of them right away. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, you can always ask for advice from professionals that have a lot of experience with tree disease prevention and treatment. Dave Lund is the number to call when you need someone you can trust. For your tree pruning services and other tree services needs in Markham, call (905) 884-0511 or send an email to info[@]davelundtreeservice.com.