Common Tree Diseases to Look Out for in Tallahassee, FL

Having trees at home can be great to improve the air quality of where you live, make your garden look beautiful, and have a place to sit in the shade when you decide to stay outdoors during summer.

Yet, like any being, they require care. While some trees can recover from diseases if treated early on, others need a removal service from a tree company to avoid a hazardous situation. 

To guarantee your tree health, it might be worth knowing some symptoms linked to tree diseases. Continue to read to find out more. 

Fusiform Rust

Caused by a fungus named Cronartium quercuum, this stem disease is known for being a pretty destructive one in the Southeast area.

Native pine trees are more likely to be affected by it. In fact, loblolly and the slash pine are susceptible to fusiform rust and are more likely to suffer severe damage. 

Common signs that a tree has fusiform rust include:

• Rust-colored spores within a branch or broken trunk.
• Yellowish-orange blisters on the galls.
• Cigar-shaped galls on the primary stem of the tree.

Due to steam breakage, trees with fusiform rust may be a safety hazard. So, if they’re located in an urban area, an emergency tree service is needed as tree removal is a must.

In other cases, simply removing the bark from the infected steam can be a useful form of treatment. 

Brown Spot Needle Blight

Caused by Scirrhia acicola, this fungal disease mainly affects the longleaf pine. Most times, when young seedlings are infected, they end up dying. 

Yet, if in their later stage, these seedlings can overcome the disease while the tree grows. 

Some of the symptoms linked with brown spot needle blight include:

• Brown or small yellow spots with a purple outline on the needles. 
• At the base, infected needles are green, while at the tip, they’re dead and have a scorched look. 
• Needles killed by this fungus have an embossed appearance. 

While in the nursery, these young trees infected with brown spot needle blight require some tree care with certain fungicides. Meanwhile, outdoor trees need as a treatment tree pruning and copper-based fungicide.

A controlled burn is a great way to treat trees in the forest. It is helpful to kill the fungus. 

Ganoderma

Many shrubs and trees in Florida are susceptible to being infected with this disease. It occurs when the pathogen, Ganoderma Lucidum, gets inside the tree through a tear or damaged roots. This infectious agent severely attacks the root system, often leading to the death of the tree. 

Some symptoms of Ganoderma include:

• The leaves change to a yellow coloration. 
• While the sapwood decays, the tree starts to lose its vitality and luster.
• Fruiting bodies start to appear on the lower part of the trunk.

Usually, when fruiting bodies start to form, there’s not much to do for the tree, and the disease results in death. Currently, there’s no effective treatment for Ganoderma. The best thing you can do to avoid it is to ensure that the tree’s roots don’t get damaged.

Tree Health Is a Must

When it comes to taking care of trees, prevention is key. Like people, they show signs when they’re unwell. You just have to pay attention to them. 

Are you searching for a professional tree service? Our certified arborists can help you with tree trimming, tree cutting, and more, ensuring your tree health. Contact us now.