MY TREE LOOKS SICK. MY NEIGHBOR SAID IT MIGHT HAVE A TREE FUNGUS. WHAT IS A TREE FUNGUS?
Unfortunately, tree fungus is a disease that many trees are invaded by. When the fungal spores encounter a vulnerable host, they invade the tree, grow and feed upon the tree. As there are a tremendous variety of fungi that trees can be affected by, it is always best to have an ISA certified arborist analyze, diagnose, and assess the health of the tree. When in doubt, always contact an experienced tree company!
HOW DID MY TREE GET A TREE FUNGUS?
Tree fungi produce spores that can spread rapidly and infect many different tree and shrub varieties. Typically, the spores are spread via rainfall, high winds, and splashing water. The fungi also can be spread by foot traffic, as walking through wet areas and then walking around healthy, uninfected trees.
Using yard tools that aren’t sanitized can aid the tree fungus in spreading also. For the above-stated reasons, it’s always best to entrust your regular lawn care to an experienced tree company. They will make certain that careless wounds don’t happen to your trees and that tree fungus diseases aren’t invited due to carelessness.
WHAT ARE SIGNS OF A TREE FUNGUS?
Because there is a multitude of different tree fungus diseases, the symptoms that you’ll see depend upon what type of tree fungus that your tree is being invaded by. In the majority of cases, infection by a tree fungus will cause the tree to become weakened and vulnerable and the foliage will become wilted, unsightly, or discolored. Always contact the best arborist in Grapevine, Texas!
ARE THERE TREE FUNGUS DISEASES THAT CAN HARM MY TREE?
Yes! Below are some of the devastating tree fungus diseases that our team of tree care specialists encounter frequently throughout the Grapevine area:
HYPOXYLON CANKER
Left untreated, this fungal disease will ultimately result in the death of the tree. It generally doesn’t infect robust, healthy trees but primarily targets trees that have been wounded or have suffered stress.
The canker sores first appear as a light tannish-brown and eventually turn silver-gray with dark black spots. When you see these unsightly cankers, contact an arborist that treats sick trees immediately
PHYTOPHTHORA
Keep your eyes open for this one! This tree fungus is extremely destructive and widespread and will eat away at the root system of the tree and kill your tree if treatment isn’t administered.
The worst-case scenario is that the tree will become structurally unsafe and can uproot or topple over without warning! Symptoms include stunted growth, brownish leaves, dieback, and curling and wilted foliage.
OAK WILT
This serious tree fungus disease primarily targets oak trees. No oak tree varieties are immune to this tree destroyer. It is spread via insect pests and through connected tree root systems.
Without treatment, it will kill your tree quickly, usually in less than several months. Symptoms include discoloration of leaves and premature defoliation. Get help from an experienced tree company immediately!
LEAF SPOT
This won’t go unnoticed! When you first see blotches and spots on your tree’s foliage, contact a tree care specialist! Spots can be tiny black dots or odd-shaped blotches with dark brown or purple borders. As this disease progresses, more spots will appear, and eventually, the leaves will die and fall to the ground.
ANTHRACNOSE
This tree fungus is most active during damp, cool spring weather. It overwinters in fallen leaves and will continue to infect your tree year after year if treatment isn’t administered quickly.
This fungal destroyer will render your tree stressed and vulnerable to other serious tree diseases. The infected tree will develop premature defoliation, dieback, and blotches and spots on its foliage.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY TREE FROM A TREE FUNGUS?
The best way to deal with a serious tree problem like tree fungus is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place! A proactive approach is key! The sooner that you address the problem than the least amount of damage will be done to your valuable tree. Early treatment is crucial!
CONTROLLED WATERING
Sprinklers may be easy, but it’s not doing your trees any favor! They’re not good for the health and longevity of your trees because they leave excessive moisture on the tree’s foliage and on the outdoor habitat grounds. This wet environment invites the development of destructive fungal diseases.
Controlled watering by soaker hoses or soil drenching, as directed and overseen by an arbor care expert, will make certain that your trees receive the correct amount of water and that dreaded tree fungus diseases don’t happen!
PREVENT WOUNDS
Frequently, damaging tree diseases and insect pests target trees that have been damaged or wounded. Accidental tree wounds can innocently occur from basic lawn care maintenance, small construction projects, and shovels and weed trimmers.
Always entrust the care of your residential grounds to a professional arbor care company. They’ll make sure that careless wounds don’t happen to your valuable trees!
REMOVE AND DESTROY SERIOUSLY DISEASED TREES
When trees are dead or beyond saving, they must be professionally removed and destroyed by an experienced tree company with an extensive history in tree removal. This is to guard your healthy trees and prevent destructive tree fungus from infiltrating through your entire outdoor environment.
This is yet another reason why you should always contact the best arborist in Grapevine as soon as you notice that your tree is declining in health!
CONTINUAL TREE HEALTH CARE MAINTENANCE PLAN
The best way to make sure that your trees always remain strong and healthy is to enlist the services and expertise of an experienced tree company. They will analyze and assess your outdoor grounds and will develop the perfect maintenance care plan especially for you.
This will give you peace of mind in knowing that your residential grounds will be beautiful and that your trees won’t be plagued with destructive tree fungus.
DEEP ROOT FERTILIZATION
This highly important tree health care treatment is a must-do! The extensively-trained tree expert injects under pressure the precise liquid nutrients and minerals that the tree needs directly into its root zone. Topical lawn fertilizer isn’t enough to nourish trees properly!
Soil aeration occurs from the injected oxygen and the issues associated with soil compaction are eliminated. Trees that receive this important health treatment annually maintain a strong, robust root structure and are 95% more resistant to destructive tree diseases.
