Tree Disease Issues & Treatments
A consultation with our Certified Arborist will identify specific diseases and provide information for a solution. Preventative treatment is sometimes recommended for certain species and treatment to control these diseases are recommended for infected trees. The best times of year to have our Certified Arborist visit your property is May once trees leaf out through the fall months before leaf drop. A leaf can tell our Certified Arborist a lot about your tree. Without it we are missing key information.
Problems & Spraying Solutions
Needle Cast
Spruce Trees
This disease affects last years growth. It is a fungus that causes last year's growth to fall off, branches become bare and the tree looks unasthetically pleasing. Spraying will keep needles on and the tree will in turn hang on to last year's growth. After about 5 years of spraying your trees should fill in. This disease is so common it can be identified through pictures, please text pictures to our office if you think you have this problem so we can confirm and send an estimate for treatment.
Photo credit: Michigan State University
Scab
Hawthorn, Apple & Crabapple Trees
Apple Scab is caused by a fungus that infects both the leaves and the fruit. Symtoms can be identified by our Certified Arborist on site. They usually include discoloration and lesions on the leaf. Early leaf drop is also a tell tale sign. This desease is common on Hawthorn, Apple, and Crabapple Trees. Spraying can prevent and eliminate this disease.
Photo credit: Michigan State University
Rust
Red Cedar, Juniper, Crabapple, Pears, Apples, Hawthorn, and Serviceberry
Trees from the Cupressaceae family (red cedar, juniper) and from the Rosaceae family (crabapple, pears, apples, hawthorn, serviceberry are affected by this fungus. Leaf loss, fruit drops, and leaf spots are all symptoms. Best identified by our Certified Arborist at an Arborist Consultation.
Photo credit: Michigan State University
Scale
Magnolias, Pines, Maples & More
The most common symptom is the appearance of large quantities of honeydew, a sticky fecal material that will accumulate on the plant and attract sooty mold. Diagnosis can be made by our Certified Arborist. Scales seem to thrive on stressed trees. Spraying should eliminate and prevent this insect from causing disease.
Photo credit: Michigan State University
Fall Fertilization
Our trees are recovering from the growing season and about to go dormant for winter so this is the best time to give them a boost of nutrients to store as energy to carry them through the winter. The fertilizer applied in the fall will eventually lend a hand to spring growth. You can sign up for Fall Fertilization any time of year and we will put you on our list for the fall season. Fertilization can be excellent for fruit trees in order to increase growth. An Arborist Consultation is recommended for your fruit trees to make sure they don't need trimming too. Pruning and trimming fruit trees can also stimulate growth and increase fruit production.
Other Insect Problems
There is a large population of different insects that cause problems for trees. Some include:
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Aphids
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Gypsy Moths
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Catapillars
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Minor Leaf Bug
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Mites
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White Pine Weevil
There are many others as well. If you are seeing the following issues with your trees:
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holes in leaves
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holes in bark on trunks
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galls (abnormal growths that grow leaves, twigs, or branches)
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leaf discoloration or leaf drop Please contact us for an Arborist Consultation.
Photo credit: Michigan State University
Problems, Diseases & Tree Injection Solutions
Some tree problems are from diseases such as Emerald Ash Borer Disease and Dutch Elm Disease are solved with tree injections. Our Certified Applicators can apply injections to prevent these diseases. Injections might be required for other diseases and too. Our Certified Arborist can diagnose these issues and come up with a treatment plan to save your tree or nurse your tree for a longer life.
Tree Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
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Will these treatments 100% work? No, there is no 100% guarentee that they work but most of the time in our experience they do. We have a very high success rate, however; due to variables beyond our control we must state this disclaimer.
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If it rains after my treatment will the treatment still work? Yes, once the spray has dried on the tree it will do its job. Rain also has a hard time washing the spay away, the spray holds onto the foliage.
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Are there other diseases not listed on this page that my tree might have? Absolutely. A consultation with our Certified Arborist will give us a diagnosis so we can come up with a treatment plan. There are so many diseases and insects we can't list them all!