What are some common tree diseases? Determined mostly by tree type and region, tree diseases are common and should be avoided by taking care not to wound a tree. When asked about common tree diseases, our...
When asked about common tree diseases, our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including Johanna who has been a landscape designer with the company since 2002, Ben who is a landscape design/build manager, and Tom who serves as the company's maintenance manager, says, "Diseases vary widely by region. Some trees will get Anthracnose, which causes them to loose their leaves early. In the Midwest there are a lot of different diseases, but there are some that would cause defoliation of the plant." You need to research the different diseases that the trees are susceptible to in your area as well as the symptoms that accompany them. Many local landscaping companies or gardening stores have brochures about regional diseases as well as offering services to get rid of them.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is a popular saying in many circles, including landscapers. The panel of experts says, "A lot of tree diseases are often kind of a secondary thing where maybe they have been hit by a lawnmower, they will stress out because they are not placed in the right spot, or because they are too dry. Any kind of stress makes them more susceptible to getting diseases. We feel that a lot of the problems with trees that decline are simply because they are planted too deep and the roots actually strangle the tree. Also, keeping the nutrients well supplied that the tree needs will help prevent lots of diseases or problems that naturally occur. To keep damage from occurring from something such as a lawn mower, the best thing to do is use a mulch ring around the tree to prevent the mowers from being up next to it." They go on to say, "Once a wound opens up or the tree is under a lot of stress, there is a lot that can be done. If something happens to the tree, for example it is hit with a lawnmower; the best thing to do is to take off anything that is loose." If the tree still seems to be suffering from the damage, it is time to consult an expert.
When trees seem to be declining, do not automatically jump to the conclusion that it is because of a disease. As the panel of experts states, "Sometimes it is a problem with the soil itself, such as in when you have a lot of trees that are yellowing, it is really not a disease so much, as it is a nutrient deficiency, usually in the form of iron or magnesium that is not available to the tree because of the pH of the soil. That problem can be easily fixed by supplementing the nutrient either into the tree or into the soil." In order to determine the exact cause, "Sometimes you almost have to run a pH test. You have to know the pH of the soil so you can decide how you should alter the pH in order for the nutrients to be made available to the tree." For example, "Just supplying iron to the ground around the tree will not necessarily help the tree if the pH is so high in other areas that the iron will not reach the tree," they say. Again, when in doubt, it is best to consult a knowledgeable professional, especially if you have a lot of trees that seem to be suffering from the same plight.
