Keeping the trees on your property healthy is important for the overall appearance and well-being of your landscape. Unfortunately, there are several diseases known to attack Minnesota trees. For this reason, it’s important to understand the potential risks your trees face so you can take the necessary steps to prevent them, as well as identify when a tree has become infected and needs immediate treatment. Here are a few diseases professional tree services commonly tend to on Minnesota landscapes. 

3 Tree Diseases to Watch Out for on Your Property

1. Oak Wilt 

Oak wilt is a disease caused by a fungus that frequently turns deadly. It is a threat to all native oak trees, but the red oak species is particularly vulnerable. When a tree has oak wilt, the leaves will brown and fall, and there will be cambium staining underneath the initial layer of bark. For some oaks, a preventative fungicide tree injection can be effective at keeping this disease away. Others may require a therapeutic fungicide trunk injection. Diseased trees will likely need a tree service to come out and remove them. 

2. Apple Scab 

This is a fungal disease that typically affects apple and crabapple trees. It causes leaves to develop black spots or turn yellow and fall prematurely. It can also result in a thinning crown and reduced growth in the tree. Apple scab usually occurs during spring but will continue into other seasons if moist conditions are present. A professional tree service can apply a preventative fungicide to defend against apple scab, and plenty of watering, mulching, and fertilizing can help restore health if infected. 

3. Dutch Elm

Another fatal tree disease to watch out for is Dutch elm. This develops when a fungus plugs up the vessels of the tree. Signs of a diseased tree include the wilting of branch tips and leaves that curl, turn a dull green or yellow, and become dry and brittle. Fungicide trunk injections can help prevent Dutch elm disease, but those that are affected will need to be carefully removed from your property and disposed of correctly.  

Being educated on the different types of diseases that could harm your trees will allow you to better maintain a healthy and appealing landscape. If you notice any of your trees showing symptoms of contamination, Above All Tree Care can help. They will perform a thorough inspection of your tree’s condition and provide you with the most suitable solution. They offer a range of professional tree services and have more than 15 years of experience handling various tree diseases throughout the Chisago and Washington counties of Minnesota. Call (651) 257-2136 to request a job estimate or visit them online for more information.