Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can get “sick” like people and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show itself because of the overall size of the tree, and once symptoms become clear, it could be too late to revive the tree.
A certified arborist from MS Tree Trimming can help you identify and treat tree problems so that there is a much greater chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist help to prevent a tree from dying, but they are also able to help trees get more healthy growth and bloom more flowers or fruit.
Have you ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next section, we’ll describe some of the most common tree problems and what these symptoms mean.
If you see any of these things, act fast for the best chance of saving the tree and the ones around it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most frequent issues encountered by experienced arborists in Mississippi. As soon as you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, contact someone with the knowledge and equipment to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is very common in both plants and trees. The name comes from the brown and yellow spots this disease creates on the leaves.
Leaf rust is bad because it interferes with the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective pruning of the diseased leaves. It could be necessary to cut off whole limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common tree disease creates a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The construction of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or danger.
Some cases of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are only considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the issue.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on almost anything in moist conditions, but even after the wet conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, usually white, and it usually grows on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for eliminating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will treat the current mildew and help to prevent future mildew growth on the tree. You might also need to prune the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and leaves that were affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a type of tree disease that appears when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in a range of sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can affect the growth of young trees. Treat galls by killing the pests. You should also clean out from under the tree after the leaves fall off, since this is where the pests survive during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Improper Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could damage the tree past the point of recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) is just as big of an issue. Only a trained arborist should be trusted to trim trees in order to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be severely impacted by drought. If you plant new trees, you will probably have to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that is not getting enough water can have its growth stunted. The first sign you are likely to see is scorched, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your initial planning before planting trees in a full-sun area. Many types of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot for a long period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting a lot of sun needs extra water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Mississippi
A trained arborist from MS Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it.
Here are the things an arborist is trained to do:
- Evaluate trees from below and from the limbs of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is often necessary to see exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with additives and fertilizers in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the most effective treatments for it.
- Prune tree limbs to get rid of dead or diseased branches and to help healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the problem and the trimming.
- Remove the tree from your property if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is dying, and cutting it down is the best choice to protect your home and surrounding landscape.
They can also educate you about the trees that you have and how to best maintain them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation in the future.
Some tree diseases look similar to one another, requiring an expert opinion to accurately identify and treat the issue. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from MS Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
