Pflugerville Tree Service
Common Tree Diseases
Tree Diseases in Central Texas
Oak Wilt Disease
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: 512-582-2387
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: 512-582-2387
Common Texas ash tree diseases.
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.
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.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by prolonged periods of rain. Signs of Anthracnose on your Texas ash are dark yellow or brown spots called lesions. The lesions will darken and spread affecting the lower branches the worst. Anthracnose will then cause earlier defoliation, which compromises the tree’s immune system leaving the tree weaker and vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is another fungal disease common in Texas ash trees. Cotton root rot spreads from tree to tree and once in the soil it stays there for years. Cotton root rot also affects the plants in the area near the tree. Telltale signs that the cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is that the smaller plants around the tree will die within a week. Once the fungal disease is established near the roots, the trees’ leaves will begin to yellow.
Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot disease can appear on many species of ash trees and the Texas ash is vulnerable to several types of leaf spot disease. Leaf spot disease is a fungal disease that colonizes in the leaves of the tree instead of the roots. Signs of leaf spot disease are obviously spots on the leaves. These leaf spots can range from very small spots that grow over time to dark clusters of spots under the leaves.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is a fungal disease that attacks tree wounds. A tree wound can result from branches rubbing together in the wind wearing away the bark, or from a tree limb or tree bark having been removed by incorrect pruning leaving an unsealed wound. Wood rot can result from many species of fungi but unlike cotton root rot, wood rot disease kills slowly. Signs of advanced wood rot are tough growths called conks growing near the base of the tree trunk.
If you suspect that one of your Texas ash trees has one of these disease don't wait to call for help.
Pflugerville Tree Service: 512-582-2387
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by prolonged periods of rain. Signs of Anthracnose on your Texas ash are dark yellow or brown spots called lesions. The lesions will darken and spread affecting the lower branches the worst. Anthracnose will then cause earlier defoliation, which compromises the tree’s immune system leaving the tree weaker and vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is another fungal disease common in Texas ash trees. Cotton root rot spreads from tree to tree and once in the soil it stays there for years. Cotton root rot also affects the plants in the area near the tree. Telltale signs that the cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is that the smaller plants around the tree will die within a week. Once the fungal disease is established near the roots, the trees’ leaves will begin to yellow.
Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot disease can appear on many species of ash trees and the Texas ash is vulnerable to several types of leaf spot disease. Leaf spot disease is a fungal disease that colonizes in the leaves of the tree instead of the roots. Signs of leaf spot disease are obviously spots on the leaves. These leaf spots can range from very small spots that grow over time to dark clusters of spots under the leaves.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is a fungal disease that attacks tree wounds. A tree wound can result from branches rubbing together in the wind wearing away the bark, or from a tree limb or tree bark having been removed by incorrect pruning leaving an unsealed wound. Wood rot can result from many species of fungi but unlike cotton root rot, wood rot disease kills slowly. Signs of advanced wood rot are tough growths called conks growing near the base of the tree trunk.
If you suspect that one of your Texas ash trees has one of these disease don't wait to call for help.
Pflugerville Tree Service: 512-582-2387
