Many homeowners who notice spots on their trees’ leaves get nervous and think that spraying is the only answer. However, most healthy plants are equipped to survive leaf spotting. While an arborist will determine the best solution, here’s an overview to help you prepare for a consultation.

How Leaf Spots Develop

Most dark spots on leaves are caused by fungi, although some are caused by bacteria. Spots are often brown, tan, black, or red and can come in different sizes. They sometimes combine to form blotches, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the condition is progressing.

If leaves from an infected tree are left untreated, they can infect surrounding growths. Fungi is spread through spores, which can move through the air on windy days, infected gardening tools, and rainfall that splashes against surrounding trunks.

How Professionals Control Infestations

Most trees can deal with fungal infections with no permanent damage. If a tree is infected in the spring, its leaves will drop and new ones will form without spots. If marks develop later in the growing season, the tree may lose its leaves for a few years without any consequences.

However, have an arborist remove affected branches to prevent fungi from reaching surrounding growths. Trees that recently experienced infestations, were just replanted, and are facing drought conditions are more likely to die due to infection. After professionals prune affected branches, rake the leaves often and remove them from your yard to prevent reinfection.

It’s usually impossible to address the issue with fungicide. Instead, an arborist may wait to spray your yard in the spring to prevent any future outbreaks. Chemical application usually has to be done two or three times to be effective.

If you notice unusual discoloration, turn to Liscombe Tree Service. Based in St. Charles, MO, they offer a variety of services to help your trees stay healthy, including trimming, removal, and health inspections. Their arborists are trained in the latest techniques and use state-of-the-art equipment to provide affordable service. Visit their website to learn more about pruning, or call (314) 650-9055 to schedule an appointment.