Seven Signs of a Sick Tree

Like any other living creature, trees can get sick. Tree disease might not be immediately obvious, which allows the sick and damaged trees to spread the infection to healthy trees—and present a safety hazard for people, buildings, vehicles and animals nearby. Sick trees in Newton, MA have been known to fall, often with disastrous results.

Removing your sick or diseased trees is part of responsible ownership, and will help keep you and your property safe. Learn how to recognize the signs of tree disease in Newton, MA, then call BBD Tree Service for quick, safe and efficient removal:

• Peeling bark: Your tree’s bark functions almost like skin in order to protect the tree’s inner core. Some bark peeling is normal, but if you’re noticing large amounts of bark falling off your tree, you might be dealing with a diseased tree.
• Hard gray growth: Cherry, hickory, birch and maple trees are susceptible to fomes fomentarius, a fungus that makes hard gray hoof-like growths, with tiny white pores dotting the underside. It must be removed—the growth doesn’t go away with antifungals or other pesticides.
• Yellow and brown leaves: Yellow and brown leaves are a sign of root rot, which can take a few seasons to completely kill the tree. You might see weakened branches and wilting, or it may attract insects that will further weaken the tree. Try to remove these trees as soon as possible, since they present a safety hazard.
• Mildew: Powdery mildew on your trees often starts when it’s warm and humid. First it will appear as small white spots, which then spread across the tree. If you notice mildew growth, try to work with a professional tree service to solve the problem. If you catch it early enough, it may not kill your tree.
• Light brown fungus “shelves”: Oaks and similar trees are commonly affected by inonotus dryadeus, a fungus that creates light brown shelf-like growths at the base of a tree. It will stunt your branch growth and eventually kill the tree. Have the tree removed when you see the signs of this fungus.
• Seeping fluid: Fluid that leaves dark streaks or marks down a tree trunk and has a sour, unpleasant odor may be alcoholic slime flux, a tree disease that can even result in liquid pooling around the base of the tree. The fluid usually appears during the spring and summer.
• Black flowers or offshoots: Fire blight is a bacterial disease that can affect trees and plants alike; the plant will produce black flowers and offshoots that eventually curl in a hook-like shape. Once a tree is infected, symptoms show up within two weeks, and the bacteria can double hourly, so it’s best to address this as soon as possible.

If you need to remove sick trees from your Newton, MA property, the team at BBD Tree Service is ready to help. We have two decades of experience in diagnosing and responding to a wide variety of tree-related concerns. Reach out to us today to get started.

Categorised in: Tree Service

This post was written by Writer