My Family Tree Is Dying: Tree Disease

Alright, you got us, your family tree is not dying. However, that tree in your front yard might be. Like every piece of plant material in the landscape, trees can also become victims of disease and pests. When infested with these the potential outcomes range from a simple pruning of decayed foliage to the death of the tree as a whole. When this happens you are forced to engage in full-on tree removal, which is a costly and invasive process. However, many people are entirely unaware of tree disease as a whole, let alone the specific diseases popular in our area. In this blog we will go over some of those prevalent tree diseases, and what to do about them.

Cytospora Canker

If you have spruce trees, this is a disease to be worried about. It is most commonly found on spruce trees that are already stressed due to other weaknesses. This could be cold, drought, or pest infestation. Adding insult to injury, this disease randomly deforms and kills branches around the tree with no particular pattern. The dying branches will have their needles turn brown and fall off, while cankers will begin to appear at the base of these branches near the trunk of the tree. There will also be a thick layer of dry but blue resin that forms around this canker. The disease is generally more common on trees that are larger or more mature.

 

Rhizosphaera Needle Cast

Also affecting spruce trees, this fungal disease primarily targets needles causing them to die and fall to the ground. Just like the previous disease, this disease preys on trees already in a weakened state. On affected needles, a closer inspection will reveal tiny black bumps that indicate the presence of the disease. These black bumps produce the spores that create fungi. This is a very slow-progressing disease, starting at the bottom of the tree and moving up. Many of the affected needles will also not fall off for many months after being infected.

Cottony Maple Scale

Cottony maple scale is a type of scale insect that commonly infests maple trees in North America. These insects get their name from the fluffy, cotton-like substance they produce to protect their eggs and young. The cottony material is often visible on the branches and trunk of the tree and can easily be mistaken for a fungal or mold growth. The adult female scale insects have a round, flattened appearance and can grow up to 1/4 inch in diameter. Infested trees may experience leaf yellowing and premature leaf drop, as well as reduced growth and vitality. 

Treatment Options

Generally speaking, the ideal treatment for any of these diseases is a pre-emergent application of fungicide. Post-emergent fungicide or insecticide will also do best once one of these diseases has been established. However, the best preventive method is to maintain a healthy tree. Adding fertilizer, routine pruning, and active inspections can help you catch a disease early. The longer it is allowed to fester, the more damage it will do.

Pezza Landscape, Inc. is a full-service landscaping company proudly serving the Chicagoland area and its surrounding suburbs. Give us a call at (630) 393-7373 or visit our website to get in touch.