Your foliage is a beautiful addition to your property. To protect it, it’s important to know which diseases commonly affect trees. This will ensure tree removal is not needed and you can enjoy your plants for years to come. 

5 Diseases that May Require Tree Removal

1. Thousand Cankers Diseases

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, TCD or thousand cankers disease occurs when walnut twig beetles carrying a fungus called geosmithia morbida make repeated holes in the bark of a walnut tree. This causes cankers or sores to grow in the bark which alters the way water and nutrients travel up the tree. Over time, this disease can cause branch death and kill trees, requiring tree removal to prevent the beetles from traveling to another walnut nearby. 

2. Bacterial Leaf Scorch

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture notes that bacterial leaf scorch is a unique kind of fungus that can trick trees into dropping their leaves at an inappropriate time of year leading to dieback and killing the entire tree. You may see bacterial leaf scorch on elms, sweetgums, sycamores, maples, or pin oaks. 

3. Dutch Elm Disease

The Kentucky Department of Natural Resources shared that Dutch elm disease causes wilting among the vascular systems in trees. This means fungi spread by beetles who live in elm bark have infected the tree causing it to stop sending water and nutrients to the affected parts. Leaves often die first followed by branches and then the entire organism. 

Homeowners who think they may need tree removal to address diseases should contact Bluegrass Tree Service, LLC in Boone County, KY. Their team has over 30 years of experience offering snow removal, tree trimming and pruning, and emergency tree services. Call (859) 746-0708 or visit their website for information on their free, no-obligation estimates to get your yard started on the road to better tree health.