A big part of tree care is ensuring the trees on your property aren’t exposed to diseases that could affect their health. Tree diseases vary by region and knowing what illnesses can affect the area can help you care for and keep the trees on your property healthy. This guide provides a look at the diseases that are most likely to affect trees throughout Ohio.

What are the Most Common Tree Diseases in Ohio?

1. Cedar Apple Rust

If you own apple, crabapple, red cedar, or juniper trees, watching for cedar apple rust is a vital part of tree care. This disease is easy to spot, allowing tree owners to identify the disease early enough to prevent widespread damage.

The first signs of this disease come with fungus growth on the leaves. The fungus starts out as a yellow discoloring that will eventually turn orange.

2. Powdery Mildew

Once powdery mildew starts to spread, you will have to hire a tree services company to come and prune away the affected areas. This is because this particular disease spreads easily and can be passed between different species of trees.

It can be identified by the growth of fungal spores on the leaves of the trees. The spores are white or light grey and cause leaves to look like they have been coated with granulated sugar.

3. Thousand Cankers Disease 

This disease is particularly devastating for any tree that's exposed to it, and it often leads to a need for tree removal services. The illness is carried to the tree by an infestation of walnut twig beetles.

These insects leave fungus behind, which causes the leaves to erode and develop holes surrounded by rust-colored edges. The tree bark also becomes infected, and the fungus ultimately spreads deeper into the trunk until the entire tree eventually dies.

4. Anthracnose

Many hardwood trees develop anthracnose, so it’s important to keep an eye on dogwood, maple, oak, and similar trees. This fungus affects the leaves and stems of deciduous trees, turning them brown and causing them to die prematurely. If a tree becomes infected, the anthracnose fungus will cause the leaves to fall off out of season and will leave twigs and smaller branches to rot and die. 

 

If you notice unusual discoloration or rot on the leaves or branches of your trees, turn to the tree care professionals at Mike's Tree Service in Cleves, OH. They will help you care for and save the trees whenever possible. They also have the skills and equipment to perform tree removals safely and efficiently. This company is backed by 25 years of experience and offers around-the-clock emergency tree removal services to meet the immediate needs of its customers. Learn more about their services by visiting their website, or call (513) 353-0395 to request service.