No homeowner wants to see a tree in the home’s yard die suddenly. Still, not all homeowners take the time to watch for evidence of a tree’s health problems.
Clear evidence of a health problem in a given tree
Scorched leaves: Arborist in Palo Alto knows that this can develop on leaves that have received strong sunlight on a daily basis. In addition, it could develop on the leaf-filled branches of a tree that has been exposed to high winds. There are 2 remedies: increased watering and the placement of more mulch.
A loss of the usual shape and rigidity in far more than one leaf: This problem normally develops in an area where drought has limited the trees’ water supply. If the soil is dry, increase the level of watering. Otherwise, move the affected plant to a more shaded spot.
Please heed this warning: Taking time to check the soil prevents occurrence of a tragedy. If the ground surrounding the roots gets too wet, the plant that has arisen from those same roots could die.
The diseases that are known to affect trees
Leaf rust: This causes each affected leaf to have yellow brown spots on it surface. Using fungicides can work as a treatment. Naturally, the application of that fungus-killing product must be carried out as directed.
Mildew: This causes each affected leaf to develop a white coating. Its appearance calls for the utilization of a special kind of fungicide. It needs to be a fungicide that has been designed for limiting the spread of a mildew outbreak.
Gall: This does not really belong on a list of diseases. It is characterized by the appearance of unsightly bumps. Yet each bump does no more to reduce the level of a tree’s health than a benign growth on the human skin. Granted, each bump does diminish the tree’s appearance, but it does not affect the towering plant’s health.
Witches broom: The object that characterizes a tree affected by this disease accounts for the spooky nature of the disease’s name. That object is a mass of sticks, which has emerged from a single point on the affected tall plant.
The truly spooky aspect of the disease that is called witches broom concerns the uncertain nature of its cause. A pest might cause formation of the unsightly objects; alternatively, each of them could be caused by creation of a diseased state within the tree’s structure.
So, how can a homeowner tell which of the two problems has led to formation of the unsightly, stick-filled masses? A smart homeowner gets in contact with an arborist, and arranges for that tree expert to study the plant that has become dressed in what looks like a Halloween costume for trees.