Preventative Tree Care: Preventing Tree Diseases in Eugene, Oregon

Westcoast Tree Care subscribes to the philosophy of preventative tree care: proactively maintaining your trees to avoid future complications with their health, appearance, and structure.

Preventative tree care seeks to avoid costly issues such as insect infestations, downed limbs, excessive moss growth, or worse.

Today I’d like to talk about preventing tree diseases in Eugene, Oregon.  This is a practical overview of common tree diseases and general preventative steps that can help you avoid or alleviate tree diseases.

Preventative Tree Care: Disease Prevention Starter

The most common causes of tree death are insect infestations and disease causing pathogens.  You can begin to protect your trees by researching the tree diseases common to Eugene, Oregon.  With that knowledge you can choose to plant trees that aren’t susceptible to those diseases.

If you have trees that are dead, or visibly dying, you should have them removed immediately.  This will help to stop the spread of the disease.  Removing the tree, and its roots, is recommended.  To ensure this is completed properly, consider hiring a professional, ISA Certified Tree Care service such as Westcoast Tree Care.

Consider spraying your trees with fungicide and insecticides.  Fungicide sprays will help to contain and stop the spread of fungi to surrounding trees.  Likewise, insecticides will help to control the spread of harmful insects and their offspring.

Preventative Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and Prevention

The list of tree diseases is vast and varied.  Today we are listing out a handful of the most common tree diseases, their symptoms, and what you can do to prevent them.

Butt-Rot and Root Tree Disease:

This is a very common disease that primarily affects hardwood trees. These types of rots are caused by fungi that gets into the trees through wounds and other tree damage.  You can prevent this type of disease by minimizing damage to the tree trunk and root systems of your trees.

Heart Rot Disease:

All deciduous trees are susceptible to heart rot disease.  Heart rot is caused, once again, by fungi that has invaded the tree through wounds and other tree damage. You can prevent heart rot disease by abstaining from pruning that leaves large areas of wood exposed.  Ensure broken branches and deadwood are removed seasonally and after storms.

Canker Disease:

Dead areas on branches, the trunk, or the bark often signal canker disease.  Various types of fungi cause this disease.  Preventing canker disease means preventing wounds on your tree.  You can also fortify your tree through fertilization and consistent watering.

Sooty Mold Disease:

Sooty mold disease is dark fungi that is noticeable on the leaves of trees.  As we know, the temperatures in Eugene, Oregon have grown hotter over the years and sooty mold disease is common to areas experiencing high temperatures and limited moisture. You can help prevent sooty mold disease by ensuring your trees are properly and consistently watered.

Leaf Spot Disease:

Signs of leaf spot disease are brown to black spots on leaves that often contain rings around the spot.  Often trees with leaf spot disease will have yellowed leaves that drop prematurely.  You can prevent leaf spot disease with good preventative tree care measures such as fertilizing in the spring, thinning tree branches, and ensuring fall leaves are raked and composted.

The Take Away

Preventative tree care seeks to avoid costly issues such as insect infestations, downed limbs, excessive moss growth, or worse.  Preventative tree care seeks to minimize the damage to trees from disease and infections as well.  We’ve outlined five common tree diseases and preventative measures you can take to help maintain and protect your trees.

If you do have trees that are diseased or dying, you should consider prompt removal to avoid the spread of disease.  Westcoast Tree Care has the knowledge and experience to help you evaluate your trees and the proper removal of diseased and dying trees.  Contact us to speak with an ISA Certified arborist today and learn more about what you can do to protect and maintain the health and beauty of your trees.