9 Oak Tree Diseases Identification and Treatment

Prevent catastrophic damages or injuries when disease causes your oak tree to die and fall. Knowing how to identify and treat oak tree diseases will help you keep your oak trees healthy and thriving.

fasttreeremovalatlanta.com gathered information on nine oak tree diseases, dying oak tree symptoms, and how to treat them before they get out of control.

Armillaria Root Rot

Armillaria root rot is caused by multiple species of Armillaria fungi. This disease causes slow or poor growth, chlorotic foliage, and the tree’s eventual death. Armillaria root rot can infect many deciduous and evergreen tree and shrub species. Trees infected with Armillaria root rot will have decayed roots and lower trunk. In trees with advanced infections are very likely to suffer windthrow or windbreak in storms.

Armillaria Root Rot Identification

Most of the damage caused by Armillaria root rot occurs below ground. However, these signs can indicate the disease’s presence:

• Foliage emerges small or chlorotic (deciduous trees)
• Dieback in upper portions of the crown
• The tree may produce a stress crop (abnormally large production of seeds)
• Large groups of light-colored mushrooms grow at the base of the tree or on the root flare
• Thick, black fungal strands may grow in a net on infected trees and in the surrounding soil.
• The tree will eventually die

Note: Any time mushrooms or conks are growing on a tree, it is cause for concern. Mushrooms require decaying material to grow and survive.

Armillaria Root Rot Treatment

The first line of defense for your trees is their health. The more optimal their conditions are for healthy growth, the better their chances are of remaining disease-free. Accomplish this by:

• Mulching the soil around the tree’s base
• Increase the tree’s watering schedule during drought
• Protect trees from mechanical wounding (lawnmowers, weed whackers, and other equipment) Prevent foot and vehicle traffic from the tree’s root plate to prevent soil compaction
• Remove unstable trees
• Remove infected stumps and as many of the roots as possible

Tip: Have your trees assessed by a certified arborist to determine if they are infected with Armillaria fungi and determine their structural stability.

Oak Leaf Blister (Oak Leaf Curl)

Oak leaf blister is a fungal leaf disease caused by the fungus Taphrina caerulescens. During cool, wet growing seasons (spring), nearly all oak species are subject to this disease.

Oak Leaf Blister Identification

This disease displays itself very conspicuously by:

• Producing yellowish-white circular, raised areas (blisters) on upper leaf surfaces
• Likewise, producing a yellowish-brown depression (same size) on the lower leaf surface

Note: In cases where the disease is advanced, defoliation may occur. Leaf loss in early summer will sometimes result in a second leafing out in the same season. When defoliation occurs in late summer, the tree will not likely leaf out again until the following spring.

Watch this video to see examples of oak leaf blister.

Oak Leaf Blister Treatment

Unless your tree is growing under stressed conditions or has suffered multiple disease infections, oak leaf blister should not severely affect the overall health of your tree. However, this and other diseases should be treated to avoid weakening your tree’s health.

A single fungicide application in early spring at the time of bud-swelling (before bud break) should be adequate to curb oak leaf blister. You can apply a fungicide appropriate for Taphrina caerulescens with a power sprayer, thoroughly coating buds and twigs.

Chlorothalonil is an organic compound used as a broad spectrum, non-systemic fungicide recommended for controlling oak leaf blister.

Tip: Fungicide treatments lose their efficacy when applied after bud break.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS)

Bacterial leaf scorch is a tree disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa, which invades the xylem of susceptible trees. Leafhoppers and spittlebugs spread BLS from tree to tree by feeding on its xylem.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch Identification

Similar to oak leaf blister, BLS symptoms appear in the tree’s crown and are highly noticeable. Here’s what to look for:

• Leaf margins turn brown
• Signs appear on older, inner foliage and move outward to newer leaves
• In most cases, browned, dying, or dead areas of the leaf are strikingly separated from green tissue by a yellow border

Note: Defoliation should not be used as an identification method as leaves may or may not drop after infection and death.

Watch this video to see the symptoms of bacterial leaf scorch.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch Treatment

As of now, there is no cure for bacterial leaf scorch. While diseased trees can persist for several years, they will eventually die. The following practices can extend the life and healthy appearance of your tree:

• Seasonal pruning – remove dead wood
• Watering practices – increase tree waterings during summer months or during drought
• Antibiotic treatments – antibiotic injections containing oxytetracycline
• Tree removal – Remove infected trees and replace them with disease-resistant cultivars

Once your tree has burned leaf tips or margins, there’s no damage reversal at that wounded location. The only course of action is to prune out problem areas and encourage the tree’s healthy growth.

Note: The use of antibiotic injections may cause a temporary remission of symptoms but does not cure BLS.

Leaf Spot

Leaf spots can be caused by air pollutants, insects, and bacteria. Most are a result of infection by pathogenic fungi. Once inside the leaf, fungi continue to grow, and leaf tissue dies. Leaf spot fungi are most prolific during cool, wet weather in early spring. Leaf spot diseases are rarely a problem after warm, dry spring weather.

Leaf Spot Identification

Leaf spot occurs in the mid- to late spring months through the summer months, with irregular, dark brown spots developing between leaf veins. Trees with iron chlorosis or subject to other stressors (drought, infestation, disease, etc.) are likely to develop leaf spot.

Leaf Spot Treatment

While extremely unsightly, leaf spot is rarely lethal to trees and shrubs. Here are some simple measures to minimize or prevent a leaf spot outbreak:

• Remove and destroy fallen leaves in the fall. The causal fungi or bacteria overwinter in fallen leaves.
• Avoid overhead watering, spraying, and splashing.
• Prune your trees with clean and sanitized equipment.

Chemical control should only be used as a last resort or when your trees are stressed from other diseases or pests. Consider the following:

• If your tree’s leaves are already out and showing signs of leaf spot, chemical control will be ineffective. Wait until next spring.
• Apply fungicide as buds swell in early spring.
• Follow up with another fungicide application five to ten days after bud break.
• A third application may be needed during a rainy spring.

To keep leaf spot from spreading, use a fungicide containing the active ingredient propiconazole. For those reluctant to use chemical control methods, spray with a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) instead.

Note: The additional stress of leaf spot on an already distressed tree may result in permanent injury or death.

Oak Wilt

This fast-spreading lethal oak tree disease is caused by the pathogen Ceratocystis fagacearum. Oak wilt disease moves from tree to tree by the wood-boring oak beetle (Agrilus auroguttatus) or root grafts (underground roots connected between trees).

Oak Wilt Identification

The progression of oak wilt in red oak cultivars is swift, and the following symptoms indicate the tree’s impending death.

• The tree starts to die from the top down.
• Leaves will turn a pale green, wilt, and then suffer bronzing or tanning along the edges and inward to the main vein.
• Leaves may droop, roll lengthwise and wilt.
• Leaves may also die from the tip down.
• As the disease progresses down the tree’s canopy, upper leaves will turn yellow and fall off. Green leaves will fall off too.
• As the infection spreads, brown streaks develop in the sapwood.

Note: Streaking caused by the oak wilt fungus occurs as vascular tissue is plugged by chemicals produced by the tree – to stop the disease.

The progression of oak wilt in white oak cultivars is much slower, as these trees are more tolerant to the disease. They can become infected and persist for many years.

Watch this video for more on oak wilt.

Oak Wilt Treatment

The most effective oak wilt control measure is prevention. There is no treatment method to cure infected trees. Trees and their roots infected with oak wilt should be professionally removed and destroyed (preferably by fire) before the disease has a chance to spread.

Oak Anthracnose

Oak anthracnose is caused by a fungal pathogen called Apiognomonia errabunda (previously known as Apiognomonia quericina and Discula quercina)

Anthracnose infections typically begin in the lower canopy and progress upwards. This is because shade and moisture are more readily available in the lower canopy. Some infected foliage – on many oak species – will persist in the canopy over the winter months. Infection of newly developing foliage occurs the following spring.

Oak Anthracnose Identification

Anthracnose symptoms initially appear on foliage as being water-soaked, blighted, or as blotches along veins as new foliage develops.

As the disease develops, lesions dry, becoming gray-colored. Newer foliage can become distorted or shriveled, and defoliation may occur.

Mature foliage is more resistant to this disease. Having developed a thick, waxy cuticle, wounds on these leaves are often smaller.

Apiognomonia produces most spores asexually from fungal pads that rupture through the leaf’s surface and petiole. The fungal pads (acervuli) appear on the upper or lower surface of the leaves, along the veins.

Twig dieback may lead to secondary colonization by wood-boring insects and/or stem cankering fungi like Hypoxylon canker.

Disease outbreaks tend to subside by mid-summer (warmer & drier conditions). When cooler, wetter weather returns, a resurgence in disease development may occur.

When oak trees are weakened by other stresses, like boring insects, Armillaria root and butt rot, oak anthracnose symptoms can be amplified.

Watch this video to see how anthracnose can be identified.

Oak Anthracnose Treatment

A well cared for, and regularly fertilized Oak tree can develop a resistance to Anthracnose. There are many ineffective ways to treat oak anthracnose. However, fungicide applications performed by an arborist provide the most efficacious results.

In cases where 15% or more of the tree’s canopy has been lost or must be pruned, your arborist will likely recommend tree removal to prevent the disease from spreading.

Hypoxylon Canker

Biscogniauxia (Hypoxylon) atropunctatum quickly colonizes stressed trees. The Hypoxylon fungus is an opportunistic pathogen, and vigorous trees are ordinarily unaffected. Hypoxylon canker can affect any type of oak, including:

• Black (Quercus velutina)
• Blackjack (Quercus marilandica)
• Laurel (Quercus laurifolia)
• Live (Quercus virginiana)
• Post (Quercus stellata)
• Southern red (Quercus falcata)
• Texas red (Quercus buckleyi)
• Water (Quercus nigra)
• White oaks (Quercus alba)

Note: This disease occurs on trees in many habitats like forests, pastures, parks, urban and suburban green spaces, and areas in development.

Hypoxylon Canker Identification

This disease appears as a dead lesion (canker) on limbs, branches, and trunks. The canker develops under the bark and eventually causes a white rot decay of the inner sapwood. This decay contributes to the tree’s mortality and renders the tree a significant danger to life and property. Consider the following symptoms:

• Chlorotic (yellow), then brown leaves
• Small stunted leaves and reduced twig growth
• Thinning canopy
• Dieback
• Water sprouts (epicormic shoots) growing on surface roots, trunks, and large limbs
• Dieback of feeder roots
• White/stringy sapwood in the cankered area

The signs of the fungus include:

Early stages – Dark reddish-brown to olive-green shades of crusted fungal (stroma) tissue over the cankered area.

Later stages – Grey surface that eventually flakes off after 6 to 12 months to reveal a brown to black crusty material displaying a burnt appearance.

Advanced stages – Smaller cankerous patches merge into large vertical strips along the trunk and major limbs of the affected tree.

Watch this video to see what hypoxylon canker looks like.

Hypoxylon Canker Treatment

No known fungicides are available to cure or prevent Hypoxylon canker. Therefore, managing this disease depends more upon maintaining vigorous, healthy trees and preventing the contributors that lead to decline and stress. Healthy trees can resist this pathogen.

If a tree exhibits signs of stress, take prompt measures to reverse the condition before this, or a combination of pathogens can colonize the tree. Here’s how to deal with this disease when it appears on your oak:

Hypoxylon Canker present on Limbs and Branches – When this infects the limbs and branches (not the trunk) of a tree:

• Infected limbs and branches should be carefully and completely pruned from the tree.
• Prune infected limbs and branches in sections if needed to minimize disturbing infected areas.
• All wood infected by any species of fungi should be handled as highly transmissible to surrounding trees and shrubs.
• Never run these limbs and branches through a wood chipper.
• This wood should be burned.

Hypoxylon Canker on Tree Trunks – When this disease has infected and appears on the tree trunk, there are no actions to prevent the decline and eventual death of the tree:

• Hire a tree service to carefully remove the tree.
• Never run a Hypoxylon canker infected tree through a wood chipper.
• This wood should be burned.

Tip: Hire an arborist to evaluate, treat, and remove (when necessary) an oak tree infected with Hypoxylon canker disease. They are trained to handle such cases without spreading the disease.

Powdery Mildew on Oaks

There are many different species of powdery mildew causing fungi, and each species attacks a diverse range of trees and plants.

When powdery mildew begins to take over a tree or plant, a layer of mildew (made up of numerous spores) forms across the top of the foliage. These spores can then be carried to other plants by the wind. Powdery mildew can result in slowed growth and compromised fruit yield/quality when severe enough. 

Powdery Mildew Identification

Powdery mildew is a simple disease to recognize. The first sign of infection is usually white, powdery spots or patches on the top side of leaves or on plant stems. Infected leaves turn yellow and twisted. Then, once the infection strengthens, new shoots and buds will develop with distorted growth.

For more on powdery mildew, watch this video.

Powdery Mildew Treatment

Here is how you can regain control when powdery mildew attacks your oak tree:

• If possible, reduce or completely eliminate summer watering.
• Let spring growth harden off (mature, expanded leaves are very resistant to this disease).
• During the dormant season, prune out any “witches brooms” that formed during the growing season.

Tip: While summer drought is the best control, you can apply a chlorothalonil, sulfur, or copper-based fungicide during the winter months. If multiple applications are required, alternate between fungicides to prevent disease resistance.

Lichen

Lichen are unusual organisms composed of a fungus and an alga and/or a cyanobacterium symbiotically living together. The alga converts sunlight and carbon dioxide in the air to carbohydrates. The fungus surrounds the alga, protecting it from drying, and in turn, lives off of the food it provides.

Lichen Identification

Identifying lichen can be much more complicated than identifying vascular plants. Each lichen thallus is a complete microscopic world with unique characteristics separating it from other lichen.

When identifying lichen, keep in mind that one species of fungus can have two different forms if paired with two different “photobionts.” It is not common, but it does happen.

Lichen can appear green to gray-green leafy or crusty growths on the trunk and branches of trees typically in poor health.

Watch this video for more lichen information.

Lichen Treatment

Lichen will gradually disappear as tree health is restored – as foliage thickens, less sunlight gets to the lichen, inhibiting them from producing food.

Products containing copper sulfate sprayed on lichen will kill the fungus portion of the organism. Copper-sulfate is best used as a treatment for tree lichen from late spring through early fall. Such applications are not effective in cooler weather.

Note: Lichen pose no severe threat to trees. One of the ways lichen directly benefit humans is through their capacity to absorb everything in their atmosphere, especially pollutants.

Disclaimer: As with any/all chemicals, carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions/instructions before handling them or hire an arborist for such applications.

Tips for Caring for Oak Trees

Oak tree neglect can lead to a tree limb falling on a car, or worse, an entire tree falling on your house. However, if you properly care for your oak tree by pruning it, using oak tree fertilizer, and watering it the correct amount, you will help your tree remain healthy and better able to stave off harmful diseases.

The following are tips to help you better care for your oak tree:

• Provide your oak tree with full sun
• Provide your oak tree with well-drained soil
Deciduous oak trees need regular pruning
• Mature oaks only need pruning to remove dead or weakened branches
• Young oak trees need fertilizer for growth, while mature oaks need fertilizer for health
• Avoid mechanical injury to your oaks during favorable conditions for infection (typically in spring and early summer)
• Apply tree wound dressings or paint when out-of-season pruning must be performed to prevent disease transmission.

If you’re handling oaks compromised or killed by oak wilt, root rot, or other diseases, remove and properly destroy them to prevent infecting other oaks. 

Common Oak Tree Diseases

In this article, you discovered information on several oak tree diseases, how to identify them, and how to treat them before they get out of hand.

Knowing how to identify and treat oak tree diseases will enable you to take swift action to stop the disease and prevent the decline or death of your oak tree.

Allowing diseases to develop without control measures further weakens a tree’s defenses allowing multiple pathogens to successfully attack, debilitate, and kill your tree.

Sources:
extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/armillaria-root-rot
missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/fungal-spots/oak-leaf-blister.aspx
plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-or-w-12.pdf
ladybug.uconn.edu/FactSheets/leaf-spot-disease-of-trees-and-shrubs.php
fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/18481
web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailProblem.cfm?PathogenID=281
agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/hypoxylon-canker-of-oaks/
ceventura.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Coastal/Landscape_578/Viruses_Menu/Mildew_on_Oaks/
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/oak-diseases-insect-pests/

Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

Fast Tree Removal Services Dunwoody

2111 Peachford Cir, Dunwoody, GA 30338
(404) 220-9963

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: https://www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/9-oak-tree-diseases-identification-and-treatment

Warning Signs, Problems and Solutions for Atlanta Trees

There are several dangers facing trees in your Atlanta landscape. The dense foliage within Atlanta, “the city in a forest,” is prone to facing health problems and can need your help.

Infestation, disease, and construction mishaps are causes that weaken and kill trees when they are not properly looked after. Your immediate action when a tree is in decline can be the difference in it thriving or dying.

This fasttreeremovalatlanta.com article identifies tree health symptoms and causes like construction damage, insect infestations, powdery mildew, and then offers easy to perform solutions for each of them.

Declining Tree Health Symptoms

When trees are in trouble, they typically exhibit obvious symptoms telling you that there is a much more significant problem at hand. Some of the more common symptoms requiring immediate attention are:

Dieback – This is a symptom of, soil compaction, infestation, disease, or girdling and occurs when the foliage, branches, and twigs begin to die from the outside in towards the trunk.

If not quickly addressed, large branches and entire portions of the tree will die and become brittle, potentially falling without forewarning.

To identify an insect infestation, look for entry and exit points appearing as rounded holes with either sawdust (pitch) or sap blow the hole.

Stunted Growth – When a tree is under stress from an insect infestation or disease, smaller foliage and reduced growth may occur. Often, the crown will be disproportionate with smaller and fewer leaves on one side.

If left untreated, the tree’s health will continue to decline, leaving it susceptible to multiple infestations, and eventually lead to its death.

Premature Leaf Drop or Late bloom – A deciduous tree stressed by compacted soil, severe infestation, disease, or partial girdling may drop its foliage in late summer before other trees, or may not bloom until late in the spring.

Stressed evergreen trees may lose more foliage than usual in late summer and fall, along with signs of chlorosis (yellowing of foliage).

This is an alarming sign which underscores the severity of what is happening within the tree and must be quickly addressed to save it.

Drooping Crown – A common symptom of soil compaction is when your tree’s crown appears to droop, or the foliage appears to be wilted.

This soil condition may cause irreparable damage to the tree’s root system resulting in hydraulic failure (when the tree can no longer transport water and nutrients to and from the roots) and eventual death.

Tree Problem – Construction Damage

Construction damage can be soil compaction from transiting or parked vehicles and heavy storage or waste containers left under a tree. Bark damage leading to partial or complete girdling may result from leaning equipment or being struck by vehicles.

These issues are not limited to construction sites, the integrity of the soil and trunk of your tree are vital to its survival and should always be protected.

Construction Damage Solution – The City of Atlanta has specific guidelines on tree protection for construction sites which must be implemented. The failure of a company or person to adequately protect trees on a commercial or private construction site may be met with steep fines, and in the case of a lost tree, a tree recompense and fine may be assessed.

In the case of soil compaction, it can be challenging to save a tree’s roots. Depending on the size of the tree, 15 inches to 3 feet of new topsoil may be required to counteract the effects of it.

Read more about reversing soil compaction here ecolandscaping.org/01/soil/dealing-with-soil-compaction/

In the case of bark damage and girdling, if the damage is severe enough that it cuts through the xylem and phloem around the majority or entire circumference of the trunk, the tree may already be dead.

In situations with lesser damage, bark patches have a better chance of restoring the flow of water and nutrients from the crown and roots. Uncover further information on bark damage here fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/handling-tree-bark-damage

Tree Problem – Insect Infestation

The healthier a tree is, the easier it can repel attacks from boring insects. Likewise, these pests will typically target trees in a weakened state of health. However, when the insect population grows and trees become limited, they will target and successfully invade healthy trees too.

Some beetle species will burrow into the heartwood and nest deep within the tree. Beetles carry fungal spores with them which germinate within the tree providing nutrients for their offspring and ultimately causing a fungal infection which further weakens the tree.

As their numbers grow, infestations can easily devastate entire urban landscapes, inflicting irreparable damage to multiple trees of all sizes and ages.

Insect Infestation Solution – When caught in its early stages, an insect infestation is easily managed through the use of insecticides, traps, and the removal of infected limbs or the source tree in its entirety.

In any case of an insect infestation, call a tree professional for expert advice on types of treatment and how to protect surrounding trees. The web, in addition to the insect can lead to tree disease or death. To learn more, read fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/insect-webs-tree-decay-disease-death

Tree Problem – Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fast-spreading fungal disease affecting a wide range of trees and plants. It commonly has the appearance of white powder stuck to leaves riddled with black spores.

This disease is difficult to control, as it is spread by wind, splashing water, insect, wildlife, or human activity.

In severe cases when enough foliage is covered by the disease, the host tree’s capacity to photosynthesize can be significantly reduced causing deficiencies and weakening the tree’s health, leaving it vulnerable to infestations and other infections.

Powdery Mildew Solution – Halting and preventing powdery mildew can be as easy as watering your trees. The following tips will help you quickly gain control over this disease.

• Neem Oil – Spray affected and surrounding foliage with a neem oil solution (2.5Tbsp per gallon of water) weekly.
• Home Remedy – Spray affected and surrounding foliage with a solution of 1Tbsp of baking soda and 1tsp of liquid dish soap per gallon of water.
• Garden and Pruning Equipment – All equipment used on infected plants and trees should be thoroughly washed then rinsed in a bleach solution (1/8 cup bleach per gallon of water). Alcohol may also be used in place of bleach (1 cup alcohol per gallon of water).

In cases where 25% percent or more of the foliage is infected, call a tree professional to offer suggestions for a more aggressive approach to controlling this disease.

For more on tree disease control and prevention, read fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/5-tree-shrub-disease-prevention-tips

Protecting Atlanta’s Tree Canopy

Don’t let your trees die needlessly. With so many trees in an urban setting, accidents, infections, and infestations are bound to happen, are you ready for them?

In this article, you discovered how to identify the problems and symptoms of a troubled tree, like construction damage, girdling, insect infestations, powdery mildew, and how to effectively treat each of them.

Your failure to act when your trees are injured or ill can result in their death and toppling. Avoid catastrophic damages and potential fines or recompense from the City of Atlanta by taking action while you still can.

Sources:
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1238&title=Common%20Landscape%20Diseases%20in%20Georgia
http://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story.html?storyid=5161&story=Fig%20Pest
https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=1538

Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

Fast Tree Removal Services Dunwoody

2111 Peachford Cir, Dunwoody, GA 30338
(404) 220-9963

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: http://www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/warning-signs-problems-solutions-atlanta-trees

3 Spring Tree Care Tips

This winter season is at its end, and trees are beginning to exit dormancy. This is the perfect time to inspect your trees and give them the care that they need before they fully awaken.

Throughout the cold months, much damage may have occurred. Some will be visible, while other types of internal damage may stay hidden. For this reason, the service professionals at Fast Tree recommend a thorough spring inspection of your trees, bushes, and plants.

These 3 spring tree care tips will help you give your trees a head start, detect issues, and get them under control before they become unmanageable or irreparable.

1 – Addressing the White Stuff on My Tree and Plant Leaves

A common disease known as powdery mildew has the appearance of a powder-like substance on tree and plant leaves. While this may seem to be a small problem, keep in mind that this appearance is due to millions of fungal spores which spread and infect trees easily on air currents.

How Do I Get Rid of Powdery Mildew? – Cut away and destroy (Do Not Compost) any part of a plant or tree that is infected. Follow up with the application of fungicides such as neem oil, lime-sulfur, or potassium bicarbonate.

2 – Diagnosing Dieback and Managing Dead Branches

Dieback occurs when a tree gradually deteriorates from the top down. This can be caused by drought, soil imbalances, or even insect infestation.

Throughout the seasons, many stressors will affect your trees. At times, they will result in the dying of a branch. This is very different from dieback, but the treatments are very similar.

How Do I Stop Dieback? – Saving a tree affected by dieback begins with determining and correcting the cause. The next step is to cut or trim back all of the dead parts of the tree. However, if the cause is a severe insect infestation, removing the tree altogether may be the only option to prevent the spreading of the infestation.

When Do I Remove Dead Branches? – Now. Dead branches should be removed immediately, during any season. They potentially pose a severe risk to nearby structures and if heavy enough, pose a threat to you and your family’s safety.

3 – How Do I Know If My Tree Has An Insect Infestation

As mentioned earlier, some problems are visible and easy to detect, while others are hidden. With a visible insect infestation, you will see the insects on the stems and leaves.

However, with boring insects like beetles, you are looking for holes in the bark, branches, and trunk (in some cases, you will see a small pile or mound of sawdust from the insect pushing it out of the hole.)

How Do I Treat An Insect Infestation? – Once you have confirmed an infestation, insecticides, horticultural oils, or insecticides should be used and applied immediately.

The more common of the options is the horticultural oil. This is a way to effectively and safely smother and kill boring insects. While this oil should be applied before the tree has begun to bud, killing the insects is the top priority at all times.

When oils are applied correctly and consistently, you will notice insects keeping away from your trees, shrubs, and plants. If you have a fruit tree in your garden, read this page fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/how-to-maintain-your-fruit-trees-this-spring for maintenance instructions and care tips.

Also, do not overlook, and be on the lookout for the root cause of the infestation. The insecticides will deter and kill the insects, but they will return when the deterrent wears off if not properly treated. Addressing the root cause of the problem will ensure a healthy yard and long-term solution for your plant or tree insect infestation.

When Do I Call A Professional Tree Service?

Whenever you suspect or detect a potential threat to your trees, it may be a good time to call in a tree service to help you properly assess and get things under control.

NOTE: What you may consider to be a total loss, may be saved by an arborist or trained professional.

Being proactive by scheduling regular tree and landscape inspections will help to avoid dead, dying, or diseased tree surprises. It will also leave you with a sense of security about the health of your trees and plants.

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Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/3-spring-tree-care-tips