Is your favorite tree looking less vibrant than usual? It might be more than just bad weather.
As the go-to crew for tailored tree services in Sherrills Ford, NC, we at Tree Tech Tree Services have helped many diagnose and treat their ailing specimens. Learn more about the common tree diseases and pests in our area, so your living landscape stays healthy and thriving.
1. Oak Wilt
Magnificent oaks dot North Carolina’s landscape and bring shade and beauty, but these hardwoods face a serious threat called oak wilt. It’s a fungal disease that invades the plant’s cardiovascular system and causes death when left untreated. If infected, trees will drop leaves and show wilting branches.
Sap-feeding beetles carry this disease, so avoid pruning specimens during spring or summer, their active seasons. It may be worth scheduling regular tree care maintenance, too.
2. Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch elm disease is a fungus that has devastated elm tree populations nationwide. Bark beetles are the main carriers of its spores. As the insects burrow into a plant, the pathogen can infect the cardiovascular system and block nutrient and water flow.
Watch out for yellowing foliage and branch dieback, as a specimen can die within months once these symptoms appear. It’s typically better to remove the infected elm since it can quickly spread to nearby trees.
3. Phytophthora Root Rot
Does your yard have poorly draining soil? Phytophthora root rot is one of the most common tree diseases that spreads under wet conditions. Tell-tale symptoms include discolored leaves and stunted growth.
Avoid overwatering, especially in heavy clay soils. You might consider improving drainage through aeration or adding organic matter.
4. Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer is a metallic green beetle known for attacking ash trees. These insects break into the bark and lay eggs underneath. Once the larvae hatch, they feed on the inner wood and disrupt the tree’s ability to transport nutrients.
Symptoms include thinning crowns, D-shaped exit holes, and bark splitting. North Carolina has several native ash species, including green ash, pumpkin ash, white ash, and Carolina ash, all of which are currently at risk due to this invasive pest.
5. Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that typically manifests as lesions or dark blotches on the leaves of hardwoods, but it can affect stems, too. Since it’s very difficult to cure, we recommend preventing its spread through pruning, avoiding overhead watering, and proper spacing when planting new saplings.
Susceptible varieties include:
- Walnut
- Sycamore
- Birch
- Dogwood
- Ash
- Maple
- Hickory
- Oak
6. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a disease that appears as a white, chalky coating on leaves. Unlike other fungi, it can thrive in dry conditions. The powdery patches are actually millions of spores that can spread through the air.
Limit its spread by trimming crowded branches to improve airflow and choosing naturally resistant varieties.
Your Dependable Arborists in Sherrills Ford
At Tree Tech Tree Services, we can address many common tree diseases through targeted treatments and professional care. Contact us today!
We also recommend exploring more of our blog to learn the causes of tree death, like canker diseases.