When Insects and Disease Affect Your Tree Health Care

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No matter where you live in Central Texas, you probably battle tree damage due to insects and disease. Pesky pests and oak tree diseases like wilt can destroy the healthy vibrant landscape you love. Is there anything you can do to protect your tree health care? Do you think you’re in need of tree pest control?

Searching for “Tree Company Near Me” is a Good First Step

If you live in the Austin or Georgetown area, you may be well aware of the pests and diseases that can threaten your tree health care. Or perhaps you’re just recently noticing some leaning or lesions. It’s good to stay aware of changes in the appearance of your trees, and a local tree care and tree pest control company can confirm and care for any conditions you notice. Until then, here’s a list of possible pests and diseases to keep an eye out for.
Tree Diseases
Many diseases can impact trees, and most are specific species. For instance:

  • Wilt: one of the most prevalent oak tree diseases, wilt is a type of tree fungus transmitted by infected insects through root grafts
  • Anthracnose: another type of tree fungus that reproduces through spores, attacks hardwood trees, such as white oaks, sycamores, black walnuts, and dogwoods
  • Bacterial leaf scorch: restricts water flow from roots to leaves, causing early defoliation and branch dieback
  • Cedar rust: causes orange-colored spots on rosaceous plants like hawthorn
  • Hypoxylon canker: a fungus that attacks weakened trees, causing a damaged crown
  • Apple scab: an early-season leaf disease can affect crab apple trees causing lesions
    Insects and Pests
  • Trees under stress are more susceptible to the following pests and insects, which can lead to death without tree pest control.
  • Borers: cottonwood, redheaded ash, gum bumelia, and emerald ash can form holes in trunk, frass (saw dust), tip dieback, tree decline, and even tree death
  • Chewers: you may visually see bag worms, tent caterpillars, juniper budworms, and fall webworms, which can lead to missing leaf tissues and skeletonized leaves
  • Gall Makers: oak apple galls or hackberry nipple galls can cause abnormal bumps or balls on leaves or twigs
  • Mistletoe: these parasites rob trees of water and nutrients, causing weakness to the branches
  • Sapsuckers: can drill parallel holes in the trunk and feed on sap
  • Stipplers: lace bugs or spider mites can cause bronzed or bleached appearance of leaves
  • Suckers: small insects like aphids and scales can be seen on leaves or twigs, and/or honeydew or sooty mold under tree
  • Squirrels: can girdle branches if they chew bark all the way around

You Need Expert Disease and Tree Pest Control

Even the most aware homeowner can miss disease or insects that wreak havoc on trees. Luckily, you can keep away these unwelcome visitors with the help of a professional tree health care company.
Search “tree company near me” in the Central Texas area, and you’ll find the expert arborists you need. If you suspect oak tree diseases or pest infestation, you should schedule a consultation, but you can do yourself a favor with preventative care before it’s too late!