Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can get “sick” like people and animals. A disease or other tree problem might take a while to show appear because of the sheer size of the tree, and once symptoms become obvious, it could be too late to restore the tree.
A professional arborist from NM Tree Trimming can diagnose and treat common tree issues so that you have a much greater chance of keeping the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an experienced arborist help to keep a tree from dying, but they can also help trees get more healthy growth and bloom more flowers or fruit with professional tree pruning.
Have you noticed a tree on your property that has always seemed healthy but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next section, we’ll describe some of the most common tree problems and what these symptoms mean.
If you see any of these things, act fast for the best chance of saving the tree and the ones nearby it.
Tree Diseases & Common Problems
These 7 things are the most common problems encountered by professional arborists in New Mexico. The moment you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, reach out to someone with the knowledge and tools to help!
Tree Diseases
Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is actually a fungus that is common in both plants and trees. The name originates from the yellow and brown spots this disease produces on the leaves.
Leaf rust is a problem because it interferes with the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be treated with fungicides and selective trimming of the diseased leaves. It may be recommended to remove entire limbs with leaf rust.
Witches’ Broom – This common tree disease results in a large clump of twigs, dead leaves and branches that resemble a broom shape. It is caused by pests, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.
Some instances of Witches’ Broom are fatal for the tree, others are just considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.
Mildew – Mildew is a fungus that grows on just about anything in wet conditions, but even when the wet conditions are over with, mildew can remain and thrive. Mildew usually appears as a powdery texture, typically white, and it usually appears on the leaves of the tree first.
The the best method for treating mildew is to apply a fungicide that includes sulfur. This will treat the existing mildew and prevent future mildew on the tree. You might also need to prune the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and leaves that have been affected by the mildew
Gall – Gall is a tree condition that occurs when insects build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most galls are not dangerous for the tree, but none of them are attractive.
Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in various sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.
It is not necessary to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can affect the growth of new trees. Treat galls by killing the pests. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, since this is where the pests live during winter months.
Other Tree Problems
Incorrect Pruning – There’s an art to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure how to do it, you could damage the tree beyond recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or a lack of pruning at all) is just as big of an issue. Only an experienced arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.
Lack of Water – New trees can be severely affected by drought. If you want to plant new trees on your property, you will probably have to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get enough water will have its growth inhibited. The first sign you are likely to noticed is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.
Too Much Sun – Do your initial planning before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Many types of trees can handle it without issue, but too much sun can become a problem for any tree if the sun is harsh for an extended period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting excessive sun needs extra water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.
Certified Arborist Services in New Mexico
A certified arborist from NM Tree Trimming will quickly diagnose what’s going on with your sick tree and put together a plan to rescue it if at all possible.
Here is what an arborist is trained to do:
- Inspect trees from below and from the branches of the tree if possible. Getting into the canopy is typically necessary to understand exactly what is leading to the symptoms.
- Treat your tree through fertilizers and additives in the soil or solutions sprayed on the leaves. This person will have expert knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the best treatments.
- Trim tree limbs to eliminate dead or damaged branches and to help healthy growth. Even if heavy trimming is needed, they will know how to cut off branches so that the tree survives both the disease and the trimming process.
- Remove the tree from your lawn if nothing can be done to save it. The worst case scenario is that the tree is too far gone, and removing it is the only way to protect your property and surrounding landscape.
They can also educate you about the other trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t find yourself in the same situation in the future.
Many tree problems look very similar to one another, requiring a professional eye to correctly diagnose and treat the problem. If your trees appear to be dry, unhealthy or disfigured, call a certified arborist from NM Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.
