Having nice looking home and a well maintained garden is a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal, but if your trees are suffering from a disease, it can quickly ruin your landscape. Tree diseases can be caused by any number of environmental factors, including extreme weather, insect infestations, or fungal infections. It’s important to know how to recognize and control tree diseases in order to keep your trees healthy and your garden looking beautiful. A qualified Denver tree care company can help you quickly diagnose and treat any disease that may be affecting your tree.
What Causes Tree Diseases?
Tree diseases can be caused by a variety of environmental factors, including extreme weather, insects, fungi, and other living organisms. In some cases, the disease may be caused by a combination of these factors. Here are some of the most common causes of tree diseases:
Extreme Weather Conditions
Extreme weather, such as extreme heat or cold, can cause tree diseases. Trees are especially susceptible to drought, which can cause the leaves to wilt and die.
Insect Infestations
Insects, such as aphids, can cause tree diseases by feeding on the tree’s leaves and bark. The insects can also spread diseases from one tree to another.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections, such as powdery mildew and leaf spot, can cause tree diseases. Fungal infections can spread quickly and cause the leaves to wilt and the bark to become damaged.
How to Recognize Tree Diseases
The first step in controlling tree diseases is recognizing the specific disease. Tree diseases can be difficult to detect, but there are some common symptoms that can help you identify a tree disease. Here are some of the most common signs of tree diseases:
Leaf Discoloration
One of the most common signs of tree disease is leaf discoloration. The leaves may be yellow, brown, or wilted.
Bark Damage
Bark damage is another sign of tree disease. The bark may be discolored or may have cracks or raised areas.
Fruiting Bodies
Fruiting bodies, such as mushrooms, can indicate the presence of a fungal infection.
How to Control Tree Diseases
Once you have identified a tree disease, it’s important to take steps to control it. Following are some of our tips for controlling tree diseases:
Remove Infected Plant Material
One of the best ways to control tree diseases is to remove any infected plant material. This includes leaves, branches, and bark that have been affected by the disease.
Maintain Proper Watering and Nutrient Levels
Proper watering and nutrient levels are important for tree health. Make sure to water your trees regularly and fertilize them when necessary.
Apply Appropriate Fungicides and Pesticides
If your tree has a fungal infection, you may need to apply a fungicide to control the infection. If your tree has an insect infestation, you may need to apply an appropriate pesticide.
Prune the Tree
Pruning your tree can help reduce the spread of tree diseases. Pruning can also help improve the health of the tree by removing damaged or diseased branches.
Tree Disease Prevention
The best way to protect your trees from diseases is to take preventive measures. Here are some tips for preventing tree diseases:
Choose Disease-Resistant Trees
When planting trees, choose species that are known to be resistant to diseases. This will help reduce the risk of the tree becoming infected.
Maintain Proper Sanitation
Proper sanitation can help prevent the spread of tree diseases. Make sure to remove any dead or diseased plant material, and avoid planting trees too close together.
Avoid Overwatering
Overwatering can encourage the spread of tree diseases. Make sure to water your trees only when necessary and avoid overwatering.
Inspect Your Trees Regularly
Inspect your trees regularly for signs of disease. If you notice any signs of disease, take steps to control it right away.
Tree diseases can quickly ruin your garden, but by taking the right steps to recognize, control, and prevent tree diseases, you can keep your trees healthy and your garden looking beautiful. Be sure to choose disease-resistant trees, maintain proper sanitation, and inspect your trees regularly to prevent tree diseases.
Need help with controlling the diseases which might be affecting your trees? As the #1 Denver Tree Service, Environmental Tree Care LLC has been serving Denver area homeowners, business owners and municipalities with disease control since 2004. Click here now or fill out the form below to get a free, no hassle estimate. or call 303-368-8454.
For further information about tree disease control on the Front Range, check out this resource… https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/community-urban-forestry/