Trees are living things, so it stands to reason that they can get “sick” like humans and animals. A disease or other tree issue might take a little while to show appear due to the overall size of the tree, and once symptoms become clear, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A professional arborist from WY Tree Trimming can diagnose and treat tree issues so that you have a much better chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an experienced arborist prevent 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 ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but suddenly looks like something is wrong? In the next paragraphs, we’ll describe some of the most typical tree problems and what these symptoms mean.
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 typical issues addressed by experienced arborists in Wyoming. The moment you think one of these things might be wrong with your tree, call someone with the knowledge and tools 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 yellow and brown spots this disease causes on the leaves.
Leaf rust is dangerous because it prevents the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective trimming of the affected leaves. It might be recommended to remove whole branches with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common disease creates a large mass of twigs, dead leaves and branches that look like a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some cases of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, while others are just considered a growth malformation. An arborist can tell you for sure.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on just about anything in moist conditions, but even after the wet conditions are over with, mildew can continue to thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, usually white, and it usually grows on the leaves of a tree first.
The trick to treating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will eliminate the current mildew and stop future mildew on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and leaves that were affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a type of tree disease that happens when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or branches of a tree to lay their eggs in. Most galls are not dangerous for the tree, but they are not attractive.
Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in varying sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.
You do not have to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can inhibit the growth of recently planted trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree after the leaves fall off, since this is where the insects live during winter.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect 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 a lack of pruning at all) can be just as big of an issue. Only a certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly impacted by drought. If you plant new trees, you will probably have to supplement how much 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 or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do some initial research before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Many types of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can become a problem for any tree if the sun is harsh for a long period of time and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting excessive sun needs even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in Wyoming
An experienced arborist from WY Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s happening with your sick tree and come up with a plan to rescue it.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Inspect trees from the ground and from the limbs of the tree if necessary. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to identify exactly what is creating the symptoms.
- Treat your tree with additives and fertilizers in the soil or products sprayed on the leaves. The arborist will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the best treatments for it.
- Trim trees to eliminate dead or diseased branches and to assist healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives 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 cutting it down is the only choice to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
Arborists can also educate you about the other trees that you have om your property and how to best maintain them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation again.
Some tree diseases look very similar to one another, requiring a professional eye to correctly determine and treat the issue. If your trees appear to be dry, disfigured or dying, call a professional arborist from WY Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late for your tree.
