Situated on Lake Ontario, Rochester is the third most populated state in Western New York. While an industrial city, it is also residential with large towns like Perinton, Brighton, Penfield, etc. It is the base of the larger metropolitan area of Rochester, with more than a million residents. Historically, it used to be called ‘a city in the forest’ as it was originally a forest of chestnut, elm, basswood, beech, oak, and tulip trees.
Common Tree Diseases
Trees suffering from diseases greatly concern homeowners because they can cause massive damage and affect your property’s appearance and value in the future. Understanding the signs and recognizing the problem is the first step to prevention. Use the following guide to learn about their common diseases.
Anthracnose
It is a class of diseases causing sunken and dark lesions on a tree’s flowers, fruits, stems, and leaves. Evergreen elm, oak, sycamore, and ash trees are the most vulnerable to anthracnose. Deciduous trees planted in areas facing prolonged rain in springs suffer more severely from infections. You may also know the disease as leaf blight.
Apple Scab
Despite the name, the disease affects pear and mountain ash trees, too. An early sign is olive-green patches on the tree’s leaves and fruits. If untreated, it will become darker over time. Eventually, the leaves will fall after turning yellow. The fruits will also become scabby and inedible due to the spots, as the tree keeps losing its leaves.
Black Knot
When your tree catches this fungal disease, it grows a hard black gall around its stems and branches. Fruit trees, especially plum and cherry plants, are its favorite prey. Although the black knot does not destroy your tree’s trunk, it will keep weakening it. At some point, other bacteria and fungi will inhabit the tree and destroy it consequently.
Dutch Elm Disease (DED)
The DED goes way back to the 1950s when the Forestry Division removed elm trees in Rochester. To date, it stands as one of the most threatening tree diseases. Although it mainly targets American elms, other species also get affected. The fungal disease shows signs where the foliage becomes yellow to brown. Then, the tree develops dark brown to black patches under its bark.
When To Call A Tree Service Company
When you find your trees in any of the following situations, know it is time to call a professional tree service.
Fungi Growth
Fungi populate fast in trees already in poor conditions. Their presence is a sign that your tree is internally suffering from a disease. It can be more alarming during storms. So, when you find fungi or mushrooms growing in your trees, contact an arborist soon. Otherwise, the fungal spores will move to healthy trees and attack them.
Slow Growth And Dying Branches
During the growing seasons, observe your tree’s growth. If it does not grow enough leaves or has dying branches, try to identify the disease and call a pro to start treatment.
A Leaning Tree
It indicates the advancement of decay. If your tree tilts abnormally, you should consider having it removed.
A Dying Or Dead Tree
When a disease goes too far without proper treatment, your tree will die soon. If around 50% of it is dead, look for a local expert in Rochester to remove it.
Early Detection Saves Trees
The key to saving trees is to monitor their health condition and look for signs of diseases. Even if you cannot recognize the exact disease, consult a professional tree service and learn what to do next. If it is too late, make arrangements to remove the tree. Otherwise, your home and property could be in danger.