3 Common Tree Diseases – And How To Trim Or Remove The Tree

Trees offer a beautiful and shade-providing accent to your yard and tend to be lower-maintenance than a flower garden. But low-maintenance doesn't mean you shouldn't make periodic checks on the health of your tree. There are a number of tree diseases that can cause substantial damage or death to your tree if left untreated.

Here are a few of the most common tree diseases, how the problems can be fixed, and how a trim trimming or tree removal service can prove valuable help.

Canker Tree Disease

There are a few different subtypes of canker disease on trees but all present with the appearance of blistered bark. You will see a hole in the bark that looks different than the rest of the tree – kind of how an infected wound looks on human skin. This type of disease occurs on pines, willows, and spruces, which are some of the most common yard trees around.

The bacteria that causes canker is most active when the tree is beginning to bloom in the early spring and starting to lose its leaves in the fall. Keep a close eye on the tree during those times and quickly prune away any affected branches before the disease has time to spread. Make sure you use a trimmer cleaner after each branch cut or you risk spreading the disease through more of the tree the next time you trim.

Heart Rot Tree Disease

The bacteria that cause heart rot tree disease tends to attack birches, maples, and cedars. Heart rot will cause a mushroom-shaped growth on the bark near the area of damage.

If your tree is mostly healthy, a tree trimming company can likely cut out the heart rot section. But if the tree isn't healthy, such a trim risks spreading the rot throughout the tree. Call a tree company for a consultation before any trimming starts to see whether the tree can still be saved or if it's time for tree removal services.

Root and Butt Tree Disease

Several bacteria can cause root and butt tree disease, which is so named for the parts of the tree that are first affected. The bacteria exist in the soil and take hold in the roots and butt, or lowermost part of the tree trunk above ground. Root and butt disease can cause mushroom-like growths on the surface of the tree.

Root and butt only flourishes in trees that are already in fairly bad shape. Once this disease takes hold, the only real option is tree removal as there is no after-treatment for root and butt.

Call a landscaper or arborist if you have currently healthy hardwood trees. Proper care and maintenance should keep root and butt disease from forming in the first place. If you have any dead tree stumps near healthy trees, call in a tree stump removal company such as Buskirk Tree Service to prevent infection from taking hold and spreading to neighboring trees. 

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