The Most Common Tree Diseases in North America

Trees can fall ill from disease and infection just the same as any other living organism. In America, trees can be victim to several diseases; some of which have no treatment or cure. It is important to protect our trees from hazardous elements and harmful exposure; however, in nature, these things tend to take their own course no matter what. Continue reading to learn about the most common tree diseases known and seen in Indiana, and how to safeguard your property from these damaging ailments.

Heart Rot

Heart rot is a fungal condition that affects the integrity of a tree’s trunk, bark, branches, and structure. The disease attacks hardwood trees specifically, such as oaks, walnuts, ash trees, birch trees, poplars, and all other types of deciduous trees. It weakens and rots the bark from within; even more so in harsh weather and windy conditions. It creates a danger zone for anything surrounding the tree below. Heart rot has caused trees to tip, bend, and fall onto homes, cars, and other expensive assets. Some signs of Heart Rot include:

• Fungus Growth
• Protruding Mushroom Caps
• Leaning Tree Trunk
• Wood Decay
• Fungus Conks
• Mold
• Etc.

Healthy trees will naturally combat Heart Rot with a process called compartmentalization. In order to get healthy trees, routine maintenance is essential. Regular pruning, fertilizing, wound care, and more is vital to sustain a tree’s immunity. A local tree service company or technician can give you all the tips and advice you need for DIY tree maintenance.

Chestnut Blight

Chestnut Blight is a disease that affects the American Chestnut Tree. This tree was once one of the most important timber trees in early twentieth century society, until a devastating Chestnut Blight epidemic took effect. It wiped out nearly all of the Chestnut tree population in North America, leaving behind very few mature trees today. Chestnut Blight is a pathogenic fungal disease that enters through tree wounds and grows from within. Just like Heart Rot, it will eventually weaken and decay the bark; jeopardizing the structural integrity as a whole. Evidence of Chestnut Blight can include symptoms such as:

• Tree Cankers
• Callus Formations
• Swelling and Cracking of Bark
• Wilting Leaves
• Fallen Branches
• Browning Leaves
• Leaning Tree Trunk
• Wood Decay
• Discolored Tree Bark
• Etc.

Oak Wilt

Another common fungal disease that can kill trees is called Oak wilt. As the name describes, it only primarily species of Oak trees; however, it can harm other species of tree as well, but in a different way. Red Oaks have proven to be more susceptible to Oak Wilt than species of White Oaks. Examples of Red Oaks include Black, Red, and Northern Pin; while examples of White Oaks include Bur, White Stamp, and other round-leafed species. The disease is locally spread from infected trees to healthy ones by insects and plant roots. The infection causes the crowns of Oak trees to reduce and die. It also harms the bark, leaves, and tree branches. Signs of Oak Wilt include:

• Bronze-Colored Leaves
• Branch Loss
• Dead Crowns
• Leaf Wilting
• Discolored Vascular Tissues
• Brown Stains Under Bark
• Etc.

To reduce the likelihood of infected trees on your property, be sure to provide them with proper routine maintenance and care, year-round. Trees require checkups and upkeep just as we do. Recommended tree maintenance includes trimming, pruning, topping, fertilization, dead wooding, and more. It is best to consult a tree service company for professional advice and information on residential or commercial tree care.

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What is Oak Wilt Tree Disease?

Oak trees are among the most majestic and beautiful trees in Indiana. They provide an abundance of benefits, and service even more purposes. But just like all living organisms, Oak tree are vulnerable to disease and illness too. One of the most common forms of oak tree disease is called oak wilt, and affects hundreds of acres of oak trees each year. Continue reading to learn more about oak wilt and how to manage a tree with this disease.

Oak Wilt Disease

Oak wilt is an intravenous fungal disease that attacks the vascular system of an Oak tree. It inhibits water and nutrients from accessing the tree’s canopy, causing the entire tree to suffer. There are two primary ways oak wilt disease is spread. The first and most common means of oak wilt transmission is root grafting. Root grafting occurs when the root systems of two separate trees come together and share water and nutrients. This is very common for trees that are close together. So if one tree becomes infected with oak wilt, and it is grafted with another tree’s roots, it can spread the disease to the other tree.

The other common form of oak wilt transmission is through beetles. Nitidulid beetles can carry oak wilt fungus from one tree to another. They are most active during the months of February to June, which is why you should never trim oak trees during this time of year. Nitidulid beetles are attracted to wounds in oak trees, so if an oak tree is newly trimmed during their active time of year, Nitidulid beetles will go for the fresh cut marks in the tree and potentially spread disease. For this reason, be sure to only trim Oaks between July and January. If an oak tree must be trimmed between February and June, pruning paint can protect against Nitidulid beetles and other pests.

The only effective method of treatment or preventative care is fungicide injections. Once oak wilt is identified within 200 feet of your landscaping trees, it is a good idea to proceed with fungicide injections for precautionary purposes. But preventative precautionary fungicide injections are not always effective. Once a tree is infected with oak wilt, the only fungicide treatment that can cure it is called Propiconazole. Again, treatment is not always effective. Talk to your local arborist for information about protecting your landscaping trees against disease and other hazards.

Tree Service in Fishers, IN

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What is the Fastest Growing Oak Tree?

When you want to add shade, privacy, or both to your property’s landscape, oak trees are a fantastic way to go since they are dense in foliage and retain good structure. They are strong, beautiful, and live for a very long time; and depending on the species, they can grow to great heights of 50 to 100 feet! There are more than 600 known oak species, all of which has separate attributes, yields, and growth cycles. If you want to plant an oak tree that will grow faster than all the other species, you probably want to check out Northern Red Oaks.

The Northern Red Oak

Northern Red oak trees, Quercus Rubra, is the fastest growing oak tree species. It is also referred to as the common oak, gray oak, mountain red oak, and even eastern red oak. This, of course, depends on the region they are found. Common U.S. states include Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, North Caroline, and Nebraska. They are adaptable trees, capable of growing in a variety of soils, topography, terrains, and climates. The Northern Red Oak is one of the most important and prevalently-used lumber in the country.

Growth Rate

Northern Red Oak trees are known to have a moderate to fast growth rate. As mentioned, they can obtain heights of 50 to 100 feet or more. The average annual diameter growth of a common oak tree depends on location, size, age, and stand conditions. In centrally-located states, they have been studied to have an average growth rate of 0.2 inches per year. In mountainous ranges, annual diameter growth clocks in around 0.4 inches, on average. And in average locations, older oaks can achieve average diameter growth of 0.25 inches. On average, Northern Red Oaks grow up to a foot or so every year. After 50 years or more, you can expect your common oak tree to be 50 feet tall or more!

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