Tree Diseases
How to guard against Oak Wilt Disease fungus
All oak trees fall into three categories or families of oaks. They are Red, White, and Live, also known as the Willow family.
The Southern Red Oak, also called the Spanish Oak family, includes Texas Red Oak, Blackjack Oak, Shumard Oak, and Water Oak. These Oaks are most vulnerable to Oak Wilt disease. Oak Wilt disease is a fungus that spreads from tree to tree in two ways. The first way is by tree sap-eating beetles that carry the fungal spores with them to new trees. The second way is when trees are too close together and have interconnected roots. The fungus is able to move from tree to tree through the root system.
The White Oak family consists of the Bur Oak, Post Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Lacey Oak, Shin Oak, and Monterrey Oak. This family of Oaks are the most resistant to Oak Wilt disease.
The Live Oak or Willow Oak family are made up of the Live Oak, Escarpment Oak, Coastal Oak, Willow Oak, Pin Oak, and these oak trees are moderately resistant to Oak Wilt disease.
To help prevent Oak Wilt in the first place, don’t prune oak trees in the spring or fall. Always seal the wounds from the pruning cuts with a good tree wound paint sealant. If you need help call us: 254-277-2408
The Southern Red Oak, also called the Spanish Oak family, includes Texas Red Oak, Blackjack Oak, Shumard Oak, and Water Oak. These Oaks are most vulnerable to Oak Wilt disease. Oak Wilt disease is a fungus that spreads from tree to tree in two ways. The first way is by tree sap-eating beetles that carry the fungal spores with them to new trees. The second way is when trees are too close together and have interconnected roots. The fungus is able to move from tree to tree through the root system.
The White Oak family consists of the Bur Oak, Post Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Lacey Oak, Shin Oak, and Monterrey Oak. This family of Oaks are the most resistant to Oak Wilt disease.
The Live Oak or Willow Oak family are made up of the Live Oak, Escarpment Oak, Coastal Oak, Willow Oak, Pin Oak, and these oak trees are moderately resistant to Oak Wilt disease.
To help prevent Oak Wilt in the first place, don’t prune oak trees in the spring or fall. Always seal the wounds from the pruning cuts with a good tree wound paint sealant. If you need help call us: 254-277-2408
Despite all of these valuable qualities and uses the Texas ash is not perfect. There are tree diseases that it is vulnerable to. You should inspect all of your trees regularly to look for signs of early disease or insect infestation. Waco Tree service can do these tree care inspections for you. We work with qualified consulting Arborist who are highly trained to identify tree diseases and spot insect infestations.
Covering all the tree diseases for all the trees native to central Texas is beyond the scope of this article about shade trees that are draught tolerant and are well suited to the Central Texas environment, but we will briefly describe a few of the most common tree diseases that could threaten your valuable Texas ash trees.
Common Texas ash tree diseases.
Anthracnose
Prolonged periods of rain have been known to cause a fungal disease called Anthracnose. If you notice dark yellow or brown spots on your Texas Ash they are Anthracnose lesions. If not treated these lesions will darken and spread. They affect the lower branches the worst. The leaves will fall off the tree causing defoliation and without the leaves the tree cannot carry on photosynthesis and the tree will become weak, its' immune system will be depressed and it will become more vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is also a fungal disease that attacks Texas ash trees. Once in the soil it can survive for years. This fungal disease establishes itself near the trees roots and then spreads from tree to tree. The Ash trees’ leaves will begin to yellow and this disease will also affect the plants in the area near the Ash tree. A warning sign that cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is when smaller plants near the Ash tree die. These smaller trees succumb to this disease within a week so they are your "Canary's in the Coal Mine."
Leaf Spot Disease
Texas ash is vulnerable to several kinds of leaf spot disease. This fungal disease attacks the leaves of the tree rather than the roots. And as we know a trees leave are vital to its survival. When you see spots on the leaves its important to take action immediately. The spots start out very small and grow into dark clusters of spots. Look for these spots under the leaves. Many species of ash trees are susceptible to Leaf spot disease.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is another fungal tree disease that attaches to and grows on tree wounds. A tree wound is the result of pruning and then not sealing the wound with tree wound sealer paint. Another way tree wounds occur is when trees are not maintained by tree trimming and overgrown branches hand down and cross each other. When the wind blows these branches rub against each other. When the branches rub against each other they wear away the protective bark and then continued rubbing creates wounds. Wood rot kills the tree slowly so there is more time to act than with cotton root rot which kills more quickly. If you see tough growths called conks growing at the base of the tree trunk that is a sign of advanced wood rot.
If you notice any of the signs for one of these diseases on your Texas ash trees call for us for help.
Call Waco Tree Service: 254-277-2408
Covering all the tree diseases for all the trees native to central Texas is beyond the scope of this article about shade trees that are draught tolerant and are well suited to the Central Texas environment, but we will briefly describe a few of the most common tree diseases that could threaten your valuable Texas ash trees.
Common Texas ash tree diseases.
Anthracnose
Prolonged periods of rain have been known to cause a fungal disease called Anthracnose. If you notice dark yellow or brown spots on your Texas Ash they are Anthracnose lesions. If not treated these lesions will darken and spread. They affect the lower branches the worst. The leaves will fall off the tree causing defoliation and without the leaves the tree cannot carry on photosynthesis and the tree will become weak, its' immune system will be depressed and it will become more vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is also a fungal disease that attacks Texas ash trees. Once in the soil it can survive for years. This fungal disease establishes itself near the trees roots and then spreads from tree to tree. The Ash trees’ leaves will begin to yellow and this disease will also affect the plants in the area near the Ash tree. A warning sign that cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is when smaller plants near the Ash tree die. These smaller trees succumb to this disease within a week so they are your "Canary's in the Coal Mine."
Leaf Spot Disease
Texas ash is vulnerable to several kinds of leaf spot disease. This fungal disease attacks the leaves of the tree rather than the roots. And as we know a trees leave are vital to its survival. When you see spots on the leaves its important to take action immediately. The spots start out very small and grow into dark clusters of spots. Look for these spots under the leaves. Many species of ash trees are susceptible to Leaf spot disease.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is another fungal tree disease that attaches to and grows on tree wounds. A tree wound is the result of pruning and then not sealing the wound with tree wound sealer paint. Another way tree wounds occur is when trees are not maintained by tree trimming and overgrown branches hand down and cross each other. When the wind blows these branches rub against each other. When the branches rub against each other they wear away the protective bark and then continued rubbing creates wounds. Wood rot kills the tree slowly so there is more time to act than with cotton root rot which kills more quickly. If you see tough growths called conks growing at the base of the tree trunk that is a sign of advanced wood rot.
If you notice any of the signs for one of these diseases on your Texas ash trees call for us for help.
Call Waco Tree Service: 254-277-2408