Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can get “sick” just like people and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a little while to show up because of the overall size of the tree, and once you identify a symptom, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A certified arborist from IL Tree Trimming can diagnose and treat common tree issues so that there is a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist help to keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and bloom more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.
Have you noticed a tree on your property that has always seemed healthy but all of the sudden seems like something is wrong? In the next section, we’ll explain some of the most common tree issues and what these symptoms mean for a tree.
If you notice any of these things on any of your trees, act fast to have the best chance of saving the tree and the ones nearby it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most frequent problems encountered by certified arborists in Illinois. The moment you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, call someone with the training and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is a fungus that is very common in both trees and plants. The name comes from the yellow and brown spots this disease produces 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 trimming of the affected leaves. It may be recommended to remove entire branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This disease results in a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation 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 simply considered a growth malformation. An arborist can tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on just about anything in wet conditions, but even when the wet conditions are over with, mildew can continue to thrive. It appears as a powdery substance, usually white, and it often shows up on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to treating mildew is to apply a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will remove the current mildew and prevent future mildew 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 insects build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to lay their eggs in. Most types of galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in varying sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can limit the growth of new trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, since this is where the insects live during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Poor Trimming – There’s a science to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure what to do, you could damage the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or not pruning at all) is just as big of a problem. Only a certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly affected by drought. If you plant new trees, you will probably have to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get enough water can have its growth inhibited. The first sign you are likely to noticed is scorched, dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some planning before planting trees in a full-sun area. Many species of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can become a problem for any tree if the sun is harsh for an extended period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting excessive sun needs extra water to prevent wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Illinois
An experienced arborist from IL Tree Trimming will quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and formulate a plan to rescue it.
Here is what an arborist is qualified to do:
- Evaluate trees from below and from the branches of the tree if possible. Climbing into the canopy is usually necessary to see exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through additives and fertilizers in the dirt or products applied to the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the most effective treatments.
- Prune tree limbs to eliminate dead or diseased branches and to encourage healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree can survive both the issue and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your yard if there is no chance to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is dying, and removing it is the best choice to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
Arborists can also inform you about the trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation again.
Many tree diseases look similar to one another, requiring an expert eye to accurately determine and treat the problem. If your trees appear to be dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from IL Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
