Trees add natural beauty, shade, and value to any property, but they’re also susceptible to various diseases, especially in regions like Ohio with diverse seasonal climates. Spotting the signs of tree diseases early can help you protect your trees and maintain a healthy landscape. Here are some of the most common tree diseases found in Ohio, along with tips on how to identify them before they cause significant damage.
1. Anthracnose
Commonly Affected Trees: Ash, oak, maple, and sycamore
Symptoms: Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects the leaves, causing irregular brown spots and blotches, often following the veins. In severe cases, it can lead to defoliation (leaf drop) and twig dieback, especially in spring when cool, wet conditions are prevalent.
Prevention Tips: Proper pruning and removing fallen leaves can reduce the spread. Ensuring good airflow around trees can also help prevent moisture buildup.
2. Dutch Elm Disease
Commonly Affected Trees: American elm and other elm species
Symptoms: This is a devastating disease caused by a fungus that blocks the tree’s vascular system. Early signs include yellowing and wilting of leaves on one or more branches, often appearing in late spring or early summer. As the disease progresses, it causes the branches to die back.
Prevention Tips: Regular pruning to remove dead or infected branches is essential. In some cases, fungicide injections can slow the spread, but infected trees may ultimately need removal to prevent transmission to other elms.
3. Oak Wilt
Commonly Affected Trees: Red oaks and white oaks
Symptoms: Oak wilt is a serious fungal disease that disrupts water flow in the tree. Infected red oaks often show rapid leaf wilting, browning, and premature leaf drop in mid-summer. White oaks may decline more slowly, but symptoms include leaf browning starting at the edges and moving inward.
Prevention Tips: Avoid pruning oaks in the growing season to reduce the risk of infection, as fresh cuts attract beetles that spread the disease. Promptly remove and dispose of infected trees to protect surrounding oaks.
4. Apple Scab
Commonly Affected Trees: Crabapple and apple trees
Symptoms: Apple scab is caused by a fungus that leaves olive-green or black spots on leaves and fruit. The disease often starts on the undersides of leaves, eventually causing them to yellow and fall prematurely. Fruit can develop similar dark spots and may become deformed.
Prevention Tips: Rake and remove fallen leaves around infected trees to prevent the disease from overwintering. Fungicides can help prevent the spread, especially in spring when conditions are cool and wet.
5. Thousand Cankers Disease
Commonly Affected Trees: Black walnut
Symptoms: Thousand Cankers Disease is caused by a fungus spread by the walnut twig beetle. The beetles create numerous tiny cankers on branches and stems, leading to branch dieback and, eventually, tree death. Leaves typically turn yellow and wilty before they die.
Prevention Tips: Limit the movement of walnut wood, as this is a common way the beetle and fungus spread. Remove and destroy infected trees to reduce the risk to other black walnuts nearby.
6. Cedar Apple Rust
Commonly Affected Trees: Apple, crabapple, and Eastern red cedar
Symptoms: Cedar apple rust requires both apple and cedar trees to complete its lifecycle. On apple trees, it causes orange or yellow spots on leaves, leading to defoliation if severe. On cedar trees, you may notice orange, jelly-like galls in spring.
Prevention Tips: Removing one of the hosts (either apple or cedar) within proximity of each other can break the disease cycle. Fungicides are also effective for managing this disease on apple trees.
7. Tar Spot
Commonly Affected Trees: Maple, especially Norway and silver maples
Symptoms: Tar spot is characterized by black, tar-like spots on the leaves, appearing in late summer. While tar spot usually doesn’t cause significant damage, it does detract from the tree’s appearance.
Prevention Tips: Since the fungus overwinters in fallen leaves, raking and disposing of leaves in the fall can help prevent its recurrence.
How Eddie’s Landscaping Can Help
At Eddie’s Landscaping, we’re here to help you protect and care for your trees year-round. Our experts can assess, diagnose, and treat common tree diseases to keep your trees thriving and your landscape healthy. With our professional services, we ensure that your trees get the care they need to withstand Ohio’s seasonal changes and avoid the risks of disease.
Need Tree Care Assistance?
If you suspect one of your trees is suffering from disease, don’t wait. Contact Eddie’s Landscaping today to schedule an assessment. We’ll help you catch any issues early, recommend the best course of action, and ensure your trees stay strong and vibrant all year long.