Urban Tree Management supports discerning clients who understand that thriving trees and landscapes enhance our lives.
Stopping the Spread of Tree Diseases
One of the most important ways to protect your trees from tree diseases is to prevent them from becoming infected in the first place. While prevention is not always foolproof, there are clear steps that we take at Urban Tree Management to be proactive when it comes to tree disease management in Woodside, CA. Once a tree is infected, the options depend on the illness contracted and the severity of the disease. Below are some of our key tactics in preventing and treating tree diseases.
Routinely Assessing Trees
Having an arborist like those at Urban Tree Management perform tree inspections to assess the health of your trees on a regular basis, vulnerability to disease can be highlighted and worked against with preventative measures. If signs of disease appear, the disease can be responded to in its early stages, often allowing for more options.
Regularly Pruning and Trimming
Getting your trees maintained by having them professionally pruned or trimmed will help get rid of any branches that are dying and more susceptible to disease as well as those that have already been infected. This will help reduce the spread to the rest of the tree and may save its life.
Properly Managing Soil Health
Healthy soil more likely leads to healthy trees. Healthy trees are more likely to be able to resist infection or fight it off successfully. Soil health can be improved through aeration, composting, and mulching.
Safely Removing Infected Trees
Sometimes the only way to save other trees on your property is to remove the tree afflicted with disease. Our team does not take tree removal lightly, and it is largely a last resort when no other option is possible. We’ll ensure we have the right permits and remove the tree with care and precision.
Carefully Disposing of Diseased Wood
If we have to remove a tree due to disease, we’ll be sure to get rid of the infected wood in a safe manner isolated from other trees. This way we can stop the spread to other healthy trees nearby.
Spraying or Injecting Fungicide or Bactericide
Fungicides can be used both preventatively and defensively. They can stop the fungus germination on the leaves, bark, and roots. They are either sprayed on to leaves, applied to the soil to reach the roots, or injected into the trunk to reach the vascular system.
Bactericides are not as commonly used due to their destructive properties. They can manage the disease’s spread throughout the tree when there’s a specific bacterial infection, but cannot cure it completely or reverse damage.
Defensible Space Creation
There are a range of diseases that affect trees in this part of the Bay Area. Here are some of the most common tree diseases we encounter as part of our work.
- Sudden Oak Death: This incurable tree disease is spread by a pathogen, usually Phytophthora ramorum. Its symptoms include trunk or branch cankers or leaf lesions. You’ll need to have a professional diagnose your tree officially and present you with options, likely removal. It largely affects oak trees, but can also afflict other species.
- Shot Hole Fungus: This fungal disease is not deadly to trees, but can present with holes and browning of the leaves with yellowing of the stems. Trees in the Bay Area are more susceptible due to the mild, moist climate.
- Fire Blight: This disease is caused by a highly contagious bacteria and largely affects fruit trees. It can be spread through pollinators or even the wind. Your trees will start to look burnt and ooze amber-colored sap. Watch out for this disease especially in the spring.
- Anthracnose: Presenting with brown or black spots on the leaf along with wilting branches or sunken spots on fruit, Anthracnose is a fungal infection that can be spread by weather, irrigation, or animals. Fungicides may be an effective treatment for this disease, however prevention through proper sanitation and planting resistant tree species is best.
- Powdery Mildew: Identifiable through the white and grey powdery spots that give the disease its name, younger trees are most likely affected. In general, this disease is not harmful to the health of the tree, but can be treated with a fungicide.
Work With Us
Our nearly 30 years in the industry provides us with the expertise to effectively provide tree disease management to Woodside, CA clients. You can trust in our recommendations and our dedication to the health of your trees.
