Hardwood Diseases That May Make Tree Removal Necessary
Hardwood trees are often valued because they have a long lifespan and are quite hardy. However, even hardwood trees are not impervious to disease. There are a few really serious infections that these trees can develop, and these diseases usually are not curable — which makes removing the diseased tree your best bet. Here's a look at the two most common hardwood diseases that typically make tree removal necessary.
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt can affect a lot of different plant species, including most veggie plants you might grow in a garden. If you've ever had veggie plants mysteriously wither and die, Verticillium wilt may have been to blame. It has a similar effect on hardwood trees, although the disease progression is a bit slower. A tree can become infected when fungal spores enter a wound or defect in the bark. The fungi then make their way into the tree's vascular tissue, replicating rapidly until eventually, the tree is no longer able to transport water up its trunk. At this point, the branches will start to wither. The leaves will turn brown, first along the margins and then closer to the edges.
Verticillium wilt makes a tree's wood very brittle, and it is quite contagious. If you suspect your hardwood may have this disease, have a tree company take a look. If the tree is infected, removing it before it falls over or spreads fungus to other nearby trees is advised.
Root and Butt Rot
Root and butt rot is really a group of fungal infections. They can be caused by several different pathogens, but the result is basically the same. The fungi move into the vascular tissue in the tree's roots, and also in the butt, which is the part of the trunk that meets the roots. As the fungi grow and develop, they eventually send out brackets, which are fruiting bodies that look like big mushrooms. This is when most homeowners realize there is something wrong with their hardwood tree. Once the brackets appear, the leaves usually start to wither soon after.
Root and butt rot diseases weaken the tree at its base and make it prone to falling over if there's a strong wood. Have the tree removed before it uproots itself, taking your home or fence out in the process.
Whether you have maples, oaks, or some other type of hardwood tree, make sure sure you watch them for signs of these serious ailments. Contact a group like Pete & Ron's Tree Service, Inc. for more info.