My Tree Looks Sick. My Neighbor Said It Might Have A Tree Fungus. What Is A Tree Fungus?
Unfortunately, tree fungus is a common disease that threatens many trees. When the fungal spores come across a vulnerable host, they enter into the tree, begin to grow, and feed upon the tree. As there are many different varieties of fungi that trees can be targeted by, it is always best to have an ISA certified arborist analyze, diagnose, and assess the health of the tree. When in doubt, contact an experienced tree company!
How Did my Tree Get A Tree Fungus?
The fungal spores that tree fungi produce can spread rapidly and infect many tree and shrub varieties. Typically, the spores spread easily through rainfall, high winds, and splashing water. The fungi may also be spread by foot traffic, like walking through wet areas and then walking near healthy, uninfected trees.
Using unsterilized yard tools and leaving dead leaves on the ground can aid the fungi in spreading also. For these reasons, it’s always best to entrust the care of your lawn and outdoor environment to an experienced tree company. They will see to it that careless, accidental wounds don’t happen to your valuable trees and that fungal diseases aren’t invited to invade your residential grounds.
What Are Signs Of A Tree Fungus?
Due to the fact that there are numerous 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 weak and vulnerable and the foliage will become wilted, discolored, and unsightly. Always contact the best arborist in Arlington, Texas!
Are There Tree Fungus Diseases That Can Harm My Tree?
Definitely! Below are some of the destructive fungal tree diseases that our tree care specialists encounter frequently throughout the Arlington area:
- Leaf Spot
You can’t miss this one! When you first notice blotches and spots on your tree’s foliage, contact an experienced tree company! Spots can be tiny black dots that resemble pepper or odd-shaped splotches with purple or dark brown borders. As the disease progresses, more spots will appear, and eventually the leaves will die and fall from the tree.
- Oak Wilt
This deadly tree fungal disease primarily attacks oak trees and no oak variety is immune to its destruction. It is spread via insect pests and through connected tree root systems. Without treatment, it will kill your tree swiftly, usually in less than several months. Symptoms include premature defoliation and discoloration of leaves. Get help from an experienced tree company immediately!
- Phytophthora
This one is dangerous! Phytophthora is extremely destructive and widespread and will eat away at the root system and kill your tree if you don’t have treatment administered quickly. The worst-case scenario is that the tree becomes unsafe to be around and it can topple over without notice! Symptoms include dieback, stunted growth, curling, and drooping foliage, and brownish-colored leaves.
- Hypoxylon Canker
Left untreated, this serious tree fungus will ultimately result in the tree being destroyed. It generally won’t infect healthy, robust trees but primarily targets trees that have suffered stress or that have been wounded. The canker sores first appear as light tannish-brown and gradually turn silver-gray with dark spots. When you notice these unsightly cankers, contact an arborist that treats sick trees immediately!
- Anthracnose
This tree fungus is at its peak during wet, cool spring weather. It overwinters in fallen leaves and will continue to infect your trees year after year if treatment isn’t administered quickly. This fungal predator will leave your tree stressed, weak, and vulnerable to other serious tree diseases. The invaded tree will develop spots and blotches, premature defoliation, and dieback.
What Can I Do To Protect My Tree From A Tree Fungus?
The best way to address a serious tree problem like tree fungus is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place! First and foremost, prevention and a proactive approach is key! The sooner that you address this issue then the least amount of damage will be done to your valuable trees. Early treatment is essential!
- Continual Tree Health Care Maintenance Plan
Don’t you want to be sure that your trees always remain strong and healthy? Enlist the services and expertise of an experienced tree company. They will analyze and assess your environmental grounds and will develop the perfect maintenance care plan exclusively for you. This will give you peace of mind in knowing that your residential grounds will always be beautiful and that your prized trees won’t be invaded by a destructive tree fungus.
- Remove And Destroy Seriously Diseased Trees
When trees are dead or seriously diseased and beyond saving, they must be professionally removed and destroyed by an experienced tree company with vast experience in tree removal. This is to guard your healthy trees and prevent the destructive tree fungus from infiltrating through your entire outdoor environment. This is yet another reason why you should always contact the best arborist in Arlington as soon as you suspect that your tree is declining in health!
- Prevent Wounds
Often, damaging tree diseases and destructive insect pests target trees that have been damaged or wounded. Accidental tree wounds can occur innocently from basic lawn care maintenance, small construction projects, and weed trimmers and shovels. Always entrust the care of your residential grounds to a professional arbor care company. They’ll see to it that careless wounds don’t happen to your valuable trees!
- Controlled Watering
Sprinklers may seem easy for you, but it’s not at all good for your trees! They threaten the health of your trees because they leave excessive moisture on the foliage of your trees and on the outdoor habitat grounds. This damp environment invites the development of destructive tree fungus diseases. Controlled watering by soil drenching or soaker hoses, as directed and overseen by a tree care specialist, will make certain that your trees receive the correct amount of water and that dreaded tree fungus diseases don’t happen!
- Deep Root Fertilization
This is a must-do highly important tree health care treatment! The extensively-trained tree expert injects under pressure the precise liquid minerals and nutrients that the tree is in need of directly into its root zone. Topical lawn fertilizer isn’t sufficient to nourish your trees adequately! Soil aeration results from the injected oxygen and the issues associated with soil compaction are eliminated. Trees that receive this important tree health care treatment annually maintain a robust, strong root structure and are 95% more resistant to destructive tree diseases.