The greatest weapon against pests is knowledge. If you know what the early signs of tree disease are, you are more likely to be successful in saving your tree from severe damage or even death.
For example, diseases caused by fungi and some insect species can cause severe damage to leaves and shoots, impacting the tree’s ability to grow. Regular inspection of your trees for signs of disease is critical to keep them disease-free.
Not only do diseased or infected trees look unsightly, but they also pose a danger: falling branches.
Signs to look out for
Keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms of disease in your trees:
1. Jagged or torn leaves.
2. Brown, yellow or discolored leaves.
3. An abundance of caterpillars or grubs that can tunnel into the wood and kill it.
4. Leaves are falling off.
5. Withered leaves.
6. Large patches of bark peeling off.
7. “Bleeding” of fluid down the branches or trunk.
8. Blisters, blotches, marks, or spots on the leaves.
9. Stains on the bark.
10. Cracks or splits in the bark.
The problem
If a tree is showing one or more of the above signs, it means that some pest has infected the tree; be it bacterial, fungal, or insect. Common pests include termites that chew through wood very quickly, as well as mites, various fungi, and leaf-chewing beetles or caterpillars.
All of these are cause for concern, and are signs that emergency tree care from a professional arborist is required. Make sure you inspect your trees throughout the year because both new and older growth can be affected.
How to keep your trees healthy
Pruning
Tree pruning during the colder months of the year is essential to keeping your trees healthy and encouraging them to grow. Pruning is also an effective tactic against fungal infection and helps with air circulation throughout the tree.
But pruning isn’t as easy as it might sound, and incorrect pruning can cause severe damage to the tree. The ideal approach is to call us for expert tree trimming to help keep your trees healthy and disease-free.
Keep your eyes open
Regularly inspecting your trees can help you to nip any problems in the bud. Make examining your trees’ branches, trunks, and leaves a regular habit. Check for any of the disease symptoms above, and if you’re not sure what to do, contact an expert for assistance.
If you aren’t sure how to go about pruning your trees, or you spot signs of disease, make sure to contact Your Way Tree Service Inc. at 1 (818) 882-2335 for professional assistance. We can diagnose the problem and often prevent it from getting worse.
