TREE FUNGUS AND DISEASE

There are many diseases that trees are susceptible to. Disease-causing fungus, however, is the most incurable. Given the appropriate circumstances and environmental conditions fungi can enter the tree and cause disease. Bearing in mind that because of the devastation that fungus and disease can cause, it is important to keep your tree in ideal health. Proper prunings, deadwood removal, regular fertilizing and watering are the best ways to defend against such calamity. The most common types of disease they cause may be broken down into following four categories:

1. Canker Diseases usually enter through wounds from un-repaired breakage or poor pruning cuts. This particular fungus affects the bark causing it to become discolored and often deeply eroded.

2. Vascular Wilts are the result of fungus entering the trees internal nutrient and water transport system. If and when this occurs the tree will often show immediate signs of decline and ultimately it will die.

3. Foliage and Shoot Diseases are most common. Their main symptom is usually brown spots and/or blotches on the leaves, needles and branches. This disease is unfortunate considering it disrupts the aesthetic aspect of the tree. Trees will often live, however, for long periods of time with this particular fungus/disease.

4. Root and Butt Diseases are the most dangerous because they often exhibit no immediate visible symptoms and may cause the entire tree to fall. This is a fungus that silently decays the root system as well as areas of the trunk.

Some other diseases that are currently affecting trees in our area that are treatable are: Sycamore Anthracnose, Dogwood Anthracnose, Dutch Elm Disease, Apple Scab and Cedar Apple Crust. Most disease treatments are by injection and do not cure the disease but they will control it for a limited number of years and often need multiple treatments.