Although it may be enjoyable to admire the trees on your property from afar, it’s important to inspect them periodically for any signs of damage, decay, or disease. Trees are living entities, and they are just as vulnerable to disease as other plants and animals. Fortunately, resolving some of the most common issues is easy, especially if they’re identified early. Simply arrange for tree and lawn care services from Steve Hinesley and Co. Inc in Asheboro, NC. Here, their knowledgeable team lists a few diseases to keep in mind when inspecting your property. 

3 Diseases That Can Wreak Havoc on Trees

1. Beech Bark Disease

True to its name, beech bark disease affects beech trees, which are common along the East Coast. This condition develops after the scale insect invades the bark of the tree, allowing two different kinds of fungi to grow. The fungi thrive on the bark and leave deep lesions all over the trunk, which can eventually kill the tree. To prevent this disease, property owners should look out for the earliest signs of a scale insect infestation, which include a white waxy secretion all over the bark and small holes that ooze a rust-colored fluid. 

2. Thousand Cankers Disease 

Thousand cankers disease affects certain kinds of walnut trees. Much like beech bark disease, it develops from an insect infestation that prompts the growth of fungi. The insects in this case are walnut twig beetles, and the fungus, Geosmithia morbida, produces cankers in the bark. The earliest signs of thousand cankers disease include a yellowing of the tree’s foliage and a thinning of its upper crown.

3. Oak Wilt 

Oak wilt fungus can prove deadly to even the mightiest oak tree. Transmitted by insects, oak wilt fungus can kill a tree in a matter of months. Unfortunately, human practices are often to blame for this disease. Pruning makes trees especially vulnerable to oak wilt because the picnic beetles that transmit the fungus are attracted to the fresh wounds left by trimming. Wilted or brown leaves are some of the earliest signs of this disease. 

If you need tree or lawn care services, turn to Steve Hinesley and Co. Inc. Based in Asheboro, NC, they provide tree trimming, landscaping, and mulching for residential and commercial clients throughout the Triad area. To ensure your property stays pristine all year long, they offer 12-month contracts. Visit their website to learn more about the comprehensive lawn care services they provide, or call (336) 629-3779 or (336) 886-9542 to discuss your needs today.