Taking care of the trees on your property is about more than just providing them with water and nutrients. Much like humans, trees can get sick from diseases that impair their growth and, worse, cause them to decay.
As such, knowing how to identify and spot tree diseases is incredibly important if you care about keeping your landscaping healthy and vibrant. Let’s take a look at six common tree diseases in Pennsylvania and what causes them.
Apple Scab Tree Disease
Apple Scab is a common tree disease caused by a fungal infection from Venturia inaequalis. It mostly affects Crabapple Trees, cultivated Apple Trees, and other plants in the rose family. Infected leaves develop pale yellow spots in the early stages, which eventually turn into dull olive-green patches.
These spots can cause premature defoliation, leaving trees vulnerable to other diseases and damaging the tree’s health. As the disease progresses, black fungal bodies may form, especially on flower buds and fruit, which can cause them to wither or drop. Tree disease control measures, like treating common tree diseases with fungicides, help limit the spread and protect young trees from severe symptoms.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects many types of deciduous trees, including Sycamores, Oaks, Dogwoods, and others. Caused by a variety of fungi, this disease leads to irregular, dark spots along the leaf veins, and it often results in premature drop of the tree’s leaves. Twigs and branches can show signs of infection with twig death and wilting branches, especially in wet, cool spring weather.
Anthracnose weakens trees over time, making them more susceptible to other common diseases. Regular pruning of infected limbs and proper disposal of fallen leaves help reduce its impact.
Beech Leaf Disease
Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) is an emerging threat to American and European Beech trees, caused by microscopic nematodes that attack leaf tissue. The disease is first noticeable by dark banding between the veins on Beech leaves, creating a striped or patchy look. As BLD progresses, the leaves become discolored and misshapen, reducing the tree’s ability to photosynthesize effectively. Over time, this disease can lead to significant canopy loss, branch dieback, and, if left untreated, the death of the tree.
Early treatment of Beech Leaf Disease is vital to prevent severe damage and protect surrounding trees. Addressing BLD promptly not only slows the disease’s progression but also strengthens the tree’s resilience against other stressors, such as pests and drought. Proactive treatment can make a significant difference, preserving the health and beauty of beech trees and reducing the risk of spreading BLD throughout your landscape.
Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch Elm Disease, caused by the Ophiostoma fungi, spreads through elm bark beetles and is a serious threat to elm trees. The fungal disease invades the tree’s vascular system, leading to wilting branches, twig death, brown streaks beneath the bark, and leaves on the outer crown of the tree wilting and turning dark.
The disease can cause heavy seed production in an attempt to survive, but affected trees often die within a few years if left untreated. Early detection is key to managing Dutch Elm Disease, and removing infected limbs can help slow its spread. Tree injections with fungicides also play a role in helping reduce infection in trees at risk.
Fire Blight
Fire Blight is a bacterial tree disease that affects members of the rose family, such as flowering Pear Trees. The disease is characterized by blackened, dying buds that appear as though they have been scorched.
Affected branches develop wilting branches and may exhibit a distinctive “shepherd’s crook” shape. Infected trees can suffer from premature defoliation and flower drop, which hinders fruit production. Pruning and removing infected limbs can help manage Fire Blight.
Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS) is a chronic disease affecting a variety of tree species, including Oaks, Maples, Sycamores, and Elms. Caused by the bacterium Xylella Fastidiosa, BLS disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients from its roots to its leaves. The disease first appears as browning or “scorching” along the leaf edges, which gradually spreads inward. Over time, infected trees may show significant canopy dieback and can eventually succumb to the disease if left untreated.
Addressing Bacterial Leaf Scorch early on is essential for managing its impact and extending the tree’s life. While there is no cure, properly timed Trunk Injections with an antibiotic (Oxytetracycline) combined with therapeutic soil applications of a Growth Regulator (Paclobutrazol) are extremely effective in managing this disease.
For Professional Tree Wellness Services, Call Rick’s Certified Arborists
Proper tree disease identification can be challenging on your own and without any experience, which is why calling a Certified Arborist who specializes in tree care is in every property owner’s best interest.
At Rick’s Certified Arborists, we provide professional Insect and Disease Control Services to keep health problems at bay, as well as an array of other trusted Residential Tree Care Services. Get in touch with our team today to learn more and to schedule a service for your landscaping.
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