The Most Common Tree Health Issues
At Beechwood Tree Care, we do not just care for trees but we are passionate about them which encourages us to go above and beyond when working with our clients. We want to ensure that all landscapes and the trees within them thrive, whether this means delivering regular pruning, maintenance or even tree removal.
To share our passion for tree care, we want to inform our clients on the best ways to manage the most common tree health issues so you can remain informed about the health of your outdoor space.
In this guide, we are sharing everything you need to know about the most common tree health issues, including pests, diseases, and fungi, so you can play an active role in supporting our ecosystems.
Common Tree Diseases
Diseases are one of the most common tree health issues that we face, as they can be easily spread. Whether they are caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria, tree diseases can cause serious health issues to your landscape if left untreated.
This is why recognising the most common health tree issues is vital, as it allows you to act quickly and protect your trees.
- Ash Dieback: Ash dieback is a fungal disease that impacts ash trees, causing leaf loss, cankers and even tee felling if left untreated.
- Dutch Elm Disease: This notorious fungal disease can tree in a single season if left untreated, and causes wilting and yellowing leaves, as well as branch dieback.
- Bacterial Canker: Bacterial canker primarily affects cherry and plum trees, causing sunken, dead areas of bark to appear, which can ooze sap.
Common Tree Fungi
Fungal diseases quietly attack the tree as the infestation starts at the roots, trunk or even through the leaves. If left unattended, fungi can cause the tree to become weak and the infection can spread to other trees in the landscape.
While they may be more difficult to spot than other common tree health issues, catching fungi early is just as vital to protect the survival of your landscape as a whole.
- Heart Rot: This fungi invades the tree and can cause it to decay at the heart, impacting structural strength and causing the wood to hollow over time. Heart Rot can also lead to external fungal growths, known as conks.
- Honey Fungus: This parasitic fungus can lead to root rot. It initially appears as a yellow-white fungal growth under the bark, which eventually turns into honey-coloured mushrooms near the tree base. If left unattended, this fungus can kill trees
- Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew appears as a white, powder-like substance on the leaves, stems and bark of trees. It causes stunted growth and deformities in heavily infected trees.
Common Tree Pests
Pests are a major cause of common tree health issues, leading to the death of your trees if left untreated. They can cause diseases and bacteria to spread to other trees and plants, causing wide-reaching health issues across your landscape, garden or grounds.
By recognising the signs of common tree pests, you can contact professionals and get them treated as early as possible to prevent spreading to other areas.
- Emerald Ash Borer: This green metallic beetle buries into ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient flow. Signs of this infestation lead to thinning canopies and branch dieback.
- Caterpillars and Moths: Caterpillars such as the oak processionary moth can lead to defoliation by feeding on the leaves of oak trees, resulting in stress and leaving the tree more vulnerable to secondary infections.
- Aphids: Although tiny, these sap-sucking insects attack tree growth and cause leaf curling, yellowing and slowed growth. Aphids can also attract other pests to cause more issues with your landscape by excreting honey sap.
- Scale Insects: These immobile insects appear as small bumps on the bark and branches, where they feed on the sap like Aphids.
How To Prevent Common Tree Health Issues
While there are some treatments available for the most common tree health issues, prevention is always the best method and is easier to do. The following tree care tips are some of the best ways to maintain the health and strength of your landscape:
1) Regular Inspections
Regular inspections and tree surveys are vital to keeping your landscape in prime health. By regularly inspecting your trees, whether individually or by working with professionals like our team, you can notice any signs of these common tree health issues early.
Catching diseases, fungi and pests early is the best way to ensure a successful treatment, which is why regular inspections are vital.
2) Proper Pruning
Tree pruning is more than just keeping your landscape neat, as it also helps prevent the spread of infections, diseases and fungi. When pruning, dead, diseased and other affected branches will be removed first and should be removed as soon as possible to prevent common tree health issues from spreading.
This is another service that our professionals can provide, to ensure the best results possible and will perform pruning to suit the needs of your tree.
Whether seasonally, a one-off or through regular maintenance packages we can deliver the precise pruning your trees need. It is vital that all tree pruning is done using sharp, clean tools to avoid the spreading of common tree health issues and maintain healthy growth patterns.
3) Watering And Fertilisation
Keeping your trees well-fed and hydrated is a great way to prevent common tree health issues from spreading or even taking hold in the first place, as your trees will be strong. Keeping your trees healthy and ensuring that fertilisation is provided when needed helps the tree continue to thrive, grow and combat common tree health issues.
Still Struggling? Call Beechwood Tree Care
If you notice any signs of these common tree health issues, your best method is to call professionals like our team. We are experts in tree care and can deliver the exact treatment your landscape needs, whether you are dealing with pests, diseases, or fungi.
We offer a range of tree care services, including tree surgery and tree pollarding, to protect your landscape and keep it in the best condition all year round.
To ensure the proper treatment of common tree health issues, contact professionals as soon as possible. You can reach out to our team here and request a consultation.
