7 Common Tree Problems & Diseases

Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can become “sick” just like people and animals can. A disease or other tree issue may take a while to show up because of the sheer size of the tree, and once symptoms become obvious, it could be too late to save the tree.

A professional arborist from MA Tree Trimming can identify and treat common tree problems so that you have a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an arborist keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and bloom more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.

Have you ever noticed a tree on your lawn that has always seemed OK but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next section, we’ll explain some of the most common tree issues and what these symptoms mean for a tree.

If you notice any of these things, act fast for the best chance of saving the tree and the ones around it.

Tree Diseases & Common Problems

These 7 things are the most frequent issues addressed by experienced arborists in Massachusetts. The moment you think one of these things could be wrong with your tree, call someone with the knowledge and tools to help!

Tree Diseases

Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is actually a fungus that is very common in both trees and plants. The name comes from the brown and yellow spots this disease produces on the leaves.

Leaf rust is bad because it interferes with the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective trimming of the diseased leaves. It might be necessary to cut off entire branches with leaf rust.

Witches’ Broom – This tree disease results in a large grouping of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually wet weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of leaves and twigs is the tree’s reaction to infection or danger.

Some instances of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are only considered a growth malformation. An arborist can tell you for sure.

Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even when the wet conditions are over with, mildew can persist and thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, typically white, and it often shows up on the leaves of the tree first.

The trick to treating mildew is to use a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will remove the current mildew and help to stop future mildew growth on the tree. You might also need to trim the tree to remove limbs, fruit, flowers and leaves that were affected by the mildew

Gall – Gall is a tree condition that occurs when insects build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most types of galls are not harmful to the tree, but none of them are attractive.

Gall will appear as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They are often white, brown, gray or some color in between.

It is not necessary to treat the tree for galls, but they can inhibit the growth of young trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, since this is where the insects live during winter.

Other Tree Problems

Poor Pruning – There’s a science to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you don’t know what to do, you could harm the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or a lack of pruning at all) is just as big of an issue. Only a certified arborist should be trusted to trim trees to keep them healthy.

Lack of Water – New trees can be significantly affected by drought. If you want to plant new trees on your property, you will need to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get enough water will have its growth inhibited. The first symptom you are likely to noticed is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.

Too Much Sun – Do some research before planting trees in a sunny area. Most types of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot for a long period of time and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting a lot of sun needs extra water to prevent wilting, drooping leaves.

Certified Arborist Services in Massachusetts

An experienced arborist from MA Tree Trimming will quickly diagnose what’s going on with your sick tree and come up with a plan to save it if at all possible.

Here are the things an arborist is trained to do:

• Evaluate trees from below and from the branches of the tree if possible. Climbing into the canopy is often necessary to see exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
• Treat your tree with fertilizers and additives in the dirt or solutions sprayed on the leaves. The arborist will have knowledge about the disease affecting your tree and the best treatments.
• Prune trees to remove dead or diseased branches and to help healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree survives both the issue and the pruning.
• Remove the tree from your lawn if there is no chance to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is too far gone, and cutting it down is the best way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.

They can also inform you about the trees that you have om your property and how to best maintain them so you don’t return to the same situation again.

Some tree issues look very similar to each other, requiring a professional opinion to correctly identify and correct the problem. If your trees are looking dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a professional arborist from MA Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.