Common Diseases Affecting Trees in Indiana and How to Treat Them

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Completetree

Indiana is known for its lush forests and wide variety of trees. However, these trees can be vulnerable to a number of diseases that can cause serious damage if left untreated. Common tree diseases in Indiana include anthracnose, oak wilt, fire blight, Dutch elm disease, and Phytophthora root rot. Understanding the symptoms and causes of these diseases is key to protecting your trees from harm and preserving their beauty for years to come.

In this blog post, we will discuss the most common tree diseases affecting Indiana trees as well as how you can identify them and treat them effectively.

Call 317-783-2518 to Speak With a Licensed Arborist in Indianapolis Indiana. — Dutch Elm Disease (DED) (Ophiostoma ulmi)

Indiana Tree Diseases and Treatments

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease that affects many tree species in Indiana. It is caused by fungi that thrive on wet, humid weather and can cause deep, dark spots on leaves and twigs as well as leaf loss. Anthracnose can be treated with fungicides applied to the affected area or entire tree depending on how severe the infection is. It’s important to note that fungicides must be used carefully and according to instructions to avoid harming other organisms in your garden or landscape.

Oak Wilt

Oak wilt is another common tree disease found in Indiana, particularly affecting red oak species. Oak wilt is caused by a fungus which rapidly spreads from tree to tree through their root systems. Symptoms of oak wilt include yellowing, wilting and curling of foliage, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment for this disease requires injecting the tree with a fungicide or removing infected branches to prevent further spread.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is another destructive fungal disease that affects many fruit trees in Indiana. It is characterized by cankers on twigs and branches as well as blackening of fruit. Treatment for fire blight typically involves pruning away affected branches and applying a chemical solution to the tree to prevent further spread.

Dutch Elm

Dutch elm disease is another serious fungal infection that affects many species of elm trees in Indiana, particularly older trees. It is characterized by wilting and yellowing of leaves, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment for this disease requires pruning away infected branches and using a fungicide to prevent further spread.

Phytophthora

Phytophthora root rot is a fungal infection that causes severe damage to tree roots. Symptoms include wilting and yellowing of foliage, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment typically involves removing affected roots and applying a fungicide to the tree or soil to prevent further spread.

Routine Tree Care is Key

Tree care is essential in order to keep your trees healthy and beautiful. It’s important to check your trees regularly for signs of disease and act quickly if any are spotted. While it may be tempting to try and treat tree diseases yourself, it’s important to seek professional help in order to ensure the best results and prevent further damage. A qualified arborist can inspect your trees for any signs of disease, recommend an appropriate treatment plan and provide advice on how to best care for your trees.

Protect Indiana’s Trees

Protecting Indiana’s treasured forests is essential to maintaining the state’s natural beauty. By recognizing common tree diseases and taking steps to prevent and treat them, you can help ensure that our forests remain healthy and vibrant for years to come.

Are you having trouble keeping your trees healthy year-round? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to get advice from a certified arborist in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Is My Tree Dead or Diseased?

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Completetree

Many homeowners wonder how to spot or recognize a dead tree or a tree that is dying in their yard. It is important to ask these questions because a dead or diseased tree can pose a dangerous threat to its’ immediate surroundings. A dead tree will eventually fall and deteriorate, causing structural damage or harm to whatever it hits. Cars, houses, electrical wiring, and even people are potential victims of a perishing tree. It is good for homeowners to wonder about tree care and how to distinguish healthy trees from sick ones.

Continue reading to learn how to tell the difference between diseased, dead, and living trees for the safety of your property and family.

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The Distinctions Between Dead Trees and Sick Trees

Dead Trees

A dead tree will not sprout any new buds on its limbs and branches. Every spring, tiny green buds will appear on healthy trees, which signifies new branch or limb growth. If you notice through the seasons that a certain tree is not re-blooming, there could be a problem with the tree’s health.

Dead trees will also have dry and brittle bark. As a test, break off a small branch to see if it bends or snaps right off. If the branch snaps off in a dry and quick manner, then the tree is most likely dead. If the branch is flexible and bends, it is a sign of life. Also, look at the inside of the broken branch; if it looks green and moist then the tree is perfectly fine.

Another easily spotted sign of a dead tree is the trunk bark. Underneath the bark of the tree, there should be a moist, green, and meaty material. This means the tree is healthy and living. Use your fingernail or a small knife and scrape off a small section of the bark and look for these signs. If the bark is dry, dark brown, and flaky, it could mean the tree is dead.

Tree Diseases

A tree doesn’t have to be dead to be a potential danger to its surroundings. Diseased or dying trees are also dangerous to have near properties and high traffic areas. The signs to a diseased and sick tree are very similar to the signs of a dead tree; however, trees expire from the inside out, so a tree that appears fairly healthy may actually be dying.

Several variables can make a tree sick. For example, insects and other pests can cause substantial damage to a tree. One common infestation comes from the Emerald Ash Borer. Over fertilization, mold, storm damage, and more are all other possibilities for a tree to fall ill.

All trees, either dead or diseased, should be removed by a trained and professional tree service technician. They retain the proper equipment and industry knowledge to safely remove or treat dead and diseased trees without posing any further harm to the property. Give a local tree care company a call for advice and information about dead trees in your town.

Are you concerned about the condition of your landscaping trees? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for licensed Indianapolis Indiana tree service and affordable price. We serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout central Indiana.

What You Need to Learn About Tree Stress

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Completetree

Did you know that trees can feel stressed out? It’s true! Trees can experience stress, discomfort, and irritation as a result of external factors and elements. Just like humans, trees can both feel stressed and be treated to relieve stress. In order to determine if your landscaping trees are distressed, look for the common signs and symptoms, including crown dieback, foliage loss, rotting bark, fungal growth, pest infestations, leave discoloration, and more.

Continue reading to learn what causes a tree to experience stress, how to identify a stressed tree, and your options for treatment.

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What Stresses a Tree Out?

The most common time for tree stress to occur is during extremely hot and dry times of the year, particularly in the months of July and August. Once a tree is stressed, it is weakened, making it more vulnerable to pest infestations, wildlife interference, disease, and more. Once you know your tree is under duress, it is important to treat the root cause as soon as possible. To do this accurately, you will need to hire an experienced tree care specialist for professional tree service and assistance. In the meantime, learn the different signs and symptoms of a stressed tree and keep a close eye on your lawn next spring!

Signs and Symptoms of a Tree in Distress

Leaf discoloration is a common sign of tree stress. Often times, leaves will begin to discolor and even grow smaller when a tree is experiencing pressure or anxiety. Leaves can also appear chewed, curled, discolored, permeated, and thin. It is very common for a tree to drop its leaves under stress as well.

Crown and tip dieback is another common symptom of a stressed tree. Not only will the canopy or crown of the tree begin to diminish and thin, the tips of branches will also thin and lose leaves. This will make the tree bald at its canopy’s tips and top.

Rotten bark is a red flag for tree stress. The bark can begin to rot in certain areas, or create rotted out cavities within the trunk of the tree. Rotten wood should be sprayed annually to prevent disease, pests, and exponential rotting. Once healthy again, the tree will start to grow new bark in place of the rotten bark.

Soil-borne mushrooms and fungal growth is another common sign that a tree is not healthy. When mushrooms grow on the trunk, it is not so alarming. But when they are growing in the soil surrounding the base of the tree, it could be an indication of root rot. This calls for serious and professional tree service.

Indianapolis Tree Service Professionals Who Can Help With Stressed Trees

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional Indianapolis Indiana tree service you can trust. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price. Request a free estimate, today.

4 Tree Diseases You Should Watch Out For

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Completetree

Tree diseases are common reasons for tree removal. There are four particular illnesses that trees fall victim to quite often. These infections, infestations, ailments, and sicknesses all have a devastating effect on trees, and can quickly lead to their demise. Continue reading to quickly learn four common tree diseases that can kill trees, and that property owners should be on the look for.

❶ Elm Disease

In the early 1900’s, oversea shipments brought in non-native beetles. Today, these beetles like to burrow into a variety of elm trees, and take down the plant fast. Elms that are already infected with a fungal disease are even easier for these Dutch beetles to invade, making them popular targets. If the leaves of an Elm tree begin to turn yellow, or die, right before Fall, it could be a sign of elm disease. In this case, the tree would need to be treated; otherwise tree removal is the only option.

❷ Heart Rot

This disease attacks hardwood trees. The name basically describes the signs of a tree with this condition. The disease begins to weaken the tree’s structure and stability from within; all while cause branches to weaken and break as well. This can be potentially dangerous for any structure or person near this type of infected tree. Mushroom caps and fungus are common hints of heart rot as well. Treatment is possible, but very complicated. Expert pruning and dead wooding could save a rotting hardwood tree. Basically, it is important to promote as much healthy growth as possible through pruning and dead wooding.

❸ Oak Wilt

Insects or root graphs carry this disease to trees. It is much deadlier than heart rot, but has the same effect. One the spores have entered the tree it can take as little as six months to kill the host completely. Oak Wilt cannot be treated, but it can be detected and prevented. Any tree near the infected tree runs risk to the disease as well. Professional tree services can properly prune and seal wounds to rid the tree of Oak Wilt.

❹ Chestnut Blight

When a tree becomes infected with Chestnut Blight, it is similar to when humans become infected with small pox. American Chestnut Trees were near extinction in the early 1900’s because of this infection. Signs that include, cankers and orange-brown stains on the bark can indicate Chestnut Blight Disease. Treatment involves chemical tree injections, so professional assistance is highly advised in this situation.

How to Evaluate Tree Care Needs in Indianapolis

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable tree service professional, and request a free estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today. We have a state-certified arborist available to inspect the health and needs of your landscaping trees. Furthermore, we are a family owned and operated tree care company, which means we understand the value of a dollar, which is why we offer our tree services at fair and reasonable rates. So get started today with a free quote!

Common Questions and Answers About Tree Diseases

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Completetree

Are some of your trees looking worse for wear these days? Have you noticed some foliage loss or increase pest activity around your favorite shrubs? It could be a result of a tree disease or natural health decline. Continue reading to review some of the most common questions about tree diseases and tree care, including their answers of course!

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Is My Tree Dead?

You can tell if a tree is dead or alive with a few different methods. The easiest DIY method is the twig test. Snap off a branch and look at the tissue inside; if the twig is dry and brittle, snaps easily, and has dull or brown colored tissue inside, it is likely dead. If the twig has some bend or tension to it, and retains green or yellow tissue inside, it is likely still alive.

Keep in mind that a dead or dying tree is a dangerous one, and should be treated or removed as soon as possible. The best way to determine the condition of a tree is to hire a licensed Indianapolis tree service company to make the determination for you; they can do this in just one quick visit.

Is Moss Bad for a Tree?

When moss grows on trees, it can create a multitude of problems. It is best to remove the moss in a safe way to protect your trees. To remove moss from trees, you will mostly have to manage the water and moisture in your yard. Be sure to water your lawn less often, and avoid soaking the tree trunk and tree bark during the grass-watering process. It also helps to treat your soil so that the pH levels fall within the proper parameters. Use a soil testing kit to test the pH levels in your lawn, and then adjust them accordingly.

What is Oak Wilt?

Oak Wilt is a debilitating vascular fungal disease that affects all species of oak trees. It is caused by a fungus that enters and obstructs a tree’s inner vascular system where water and nutrients are distributed throughout the tree. It can be challenging identifying symptoms of this tree disease since live oaks and red oaks exhibit different signs of oak wilt. The most common sign in a live oak is veinal necrosis, which is evident when leaves develop chlorotic and necrotic veins, causing the leaf veins to turn yellow and brown, and then fall off.

Red oak trees infected with oak wilt do not experience veinal necrosis. Instead, leaves simply wilt and turn colors of pale green, brown, and bronze; but they do not usually drop off. The most common treatment for oak wilt is a series of bimonthly fungicide injections called Propiconazole, which is applied through macro-injection of the root flares.

What is Winter Burn?

Winter burn, also known as desiccation, is a potentially-fatal seasonal problem among evergreen trees. The most common causes for winter burn are insufficient levels of moisture in soil, freezing temperatures, and inclement winds. The signs of winter burn vary depending on the species of tree, however, gradual scale (ombre) needle coloring tends to be the most common.

Are Pests a Problem for Trees?

You definitely need to think about proper pest and insect control for your trees. Beetles, borers, mites, wildlife, and even tree diseases can quickly affect the health of a tree in the worst way. For instance, leaf-eating insects inhibit the tree’s ability to carry on the process of photosynthesis, thus rendering the tree sick and weak. It requires a professional arborist to positively identify, diagnose, and treat insect infestations and tree diseases.

My Tree Gets Water and Sunlight. So Why is it Unhealthy?

Trees don’t just flourish on water and sunlight alone. They also require a sufficient amount of nutrients, or tree food, for optimal growth and survival. Trees source their nutrients from the surrounding and underlying soil. Which means poor or inadequate soil conditions can cause adverse changes in a tree. If you suspect that your tree is suffering from a lack of nutrients, try fertilizing it to regain its strength and stability.

Where Can I Find Reliable Tree Service?

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for experienced tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, tree trimming, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and more. If you want professional and efficient service you can trust, Complete Tree Care is the right call!

How to Identify and Treat Oak Wilt

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Completetree

Oak Wilt is a debilitating vascular fungal disease that can affect all species of oak trees. Learn what causes this transmittable tree disease, how to identify the signs, and what you can do to stop it from killing your majestic oaks. Continue reading to cover these topics and more.

Oak Wilt Tree Disease

As mentioned, oak wilt is a vascular fungal disease. It is caused by a fungus that enters and obstructs a tree’s inner vascular system where water and nutrients are distributed throughout the tree. Since the fungus enters this internal transportation system, it affects the entire tree rather than an isolated spot. Furthermore, if these food and water lines are inhibited, it can cause a tree to enter a quick decline. For this reason, it is important to address an oak wilt outbreak before it can take over your tree.

Distribution

There are many ways tree diseases can be spread, however, oak wilt is primarily transmitted through beetles or root grafting. Beetles can carry the fungus from one tree to the next, while underground roots of an infected oak tree can share water and nutrient lines with the root system of a nearby tree. This also spreads the fungus. Once an oak tree is dead from the disease, it is no longer transmittable, unless it is a Red oak. Red oak trees should be properly burned and disposed to prevent further outbreaks.

Signs and Symptoms

Live oaks and red oaks exhibit different signs of oak wilt. For live oaks, one of the most common signs is a called veinal necrosis. Leaves develop chlorotic and necrotic veins, in which the leaf veins turn yellow, and then turn brown. This occurrence is usually one of the first noticeable signs of oak wilt disease. From there, additional leaf decline and rapid foliage loss usually takes place, followed by a 1 to 6 month health decline period, and eventually, death. Red oak trees infected with oak wilt do not experience veinal necrosis. Instead, leaves simply wilt and turn colors of pale green, brown, and bronze. They remain attached for the most part, but red oak trees will only survive anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks once infected.

Treatment

Certain species of oaks are not likely to die from oak wilt, including Post oaks, chinquapins, and bur oaks. The most common treatment for oak wilt is a series of bimonthly fungicide injections called Propiconazole. This fungicide is applied through macro-injection of the root flares. This application technique generally gives the best results, however, the fungicide treatment does not guarantee the tree’s survival. Propiconazole fungicide treatments are also effective methods of oak wilt prevention. Talk to your local Indianapolis tree service company about your options for Oak wilt prevention.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. Request an estimate or advice anytime. Call 317-783-2518 to learn more about tree care in Indianapolis, IN today.

Why Does My Tree Look Bad?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Completetree

You may not notice right away, but sometimes trees can start to slowly decline in appearance and performance. One week they can look great, and the following month they look as though something is not quite right. If you have found yourself in a similar dilemma, continue reading to learn what might be wrong with your landscaping trees.

Water Distribution

The first question you want to ask yourself involves the amount of water your tree is getting. Is it getting too much? Is it not getting enough? Both of these scenarios will causes adverse changes in your landscaping trees. Trees require deep watering, especially in hotter temperatures. Strive toward saturating the ground with water, starting at the trunk and finishing at the outer perimeter of the tree’s dripline. This should suffice until the tree roots are dry again.

Pest and Insect Control

Once you have addressed any water management issues, it is time to ask yourself about pest and insect control for your trees. Beetles, borers, mites, wildlife, and even tree diseases can quickly affect the health of a tree in the worst way. For instance, leaf-eating insects inhibit the tree’s ability to carry on the process of photosynthesis, thus rendering the tree sick and weak. It requires a professional arborist to positively identify, diagnose, and treat insect infestations and tree diseases.

Nutrients

Trees don’t just thrive on water and sunlight alone. They also require a sufficient amount of nutrients, or tree food, for optimal growth and survival. Trees source their nutrients from the surrounding and underlying soil. Which means poor or inadequate soil conditions can cause adverse changes in a tree. If you suspect that your tree is suffering from a lack of nutrients, try fertilizing it to regain its strength and stability.

Additional Causes Include:

• Too much mulching
• Improper species-to-site location
• Invasive sprinkler systems
• Inclement environmental conditions
• Overgrown grass around trunk
• And more

✨ Contact an experienced tree care company for professional advice and service you can trust!

A Complete Tree Care

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding towns. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price.