Category Archives: Tree Disease

Stymying the spread of tree diseases is similar to containing contagious conditions in humans. Reducing contact, providing health checkups, and treating symptoms all contribute to treatment plans that can prevent and treat diseases such as oak wilt and bur oak blight from infecting more trees on your Rochester, MN, property or in your neighborhood. Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree care experts work hard to ensure that your trees can grow and flourish safely regardless of the current state of infectious tree diseases in Minnesota.

Oak Wilt and Bur Oak Blight

Oak wilt and bur oak blight are similar in that you may spot signs of browning, discoloration, damage, or early falling leaves on your oak leaves on their onset. Though some species of oak can be more resistant to these blights, for many Minnesota trees, contagious tree diseases can prove deadly if not stopped, treated, or removed by cutting down the tree. Oak wilt alone kills thousands of trees a year, and spring is one of its biggest spreading seasons.

Preventing Spread

Preventing the spread of both oak wilt and other similar conditions is essential as the more trees that become infected, the more difficult it is to contain the blight across the state and even across the country. In some cases, oak wilt and bur oak blight can be treated with special fungicides, but even with treatment, containment is still an essential aspect of tree disease management.

Signs of Oak Wilt

Signs of oak wilt and bur oak blight can be difficult to identify with an untrained eye. If you’re ever concerned that your oak trees may be at risk of infection, tree care experts can help you assess the health and safety of any and all trees on your property. If your trees have indeed been impacted by a tree disease, Maier Tree and Lawn is available to assist with treatment and mitigation as well. Rochester, MN, area residents can reach out to us today by calling (507) 286–8733 or visiting our website here for more information.

 

The end of winter may still feel like a ways off, but once the melt begins and the growing season starts, the health of your trees can change rapidly. Maier Tree and Lawn encourages homeowners to stay vigilant for tree diseases, especially if you they own any variety of elm tree near Winona, MN. Dutch elm disease is one of several tree diseases that can devastate a population of trees quickly and efficiently. By watching for early warning signs, you can prevent tree loss, damage, and even death.

Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch elm disease can impact almost every variety of elm that grows in the Midwest, including American elms, red elms, rock elms, and more. The disease can ravage a single elm quickly and can spread to vulnerable trees nearby as well. The severity of Dutch elm disease depends on a variety of factors, including the initial health of the tree prior to infection as well as the strain of fungi that is causing the damage. But no matter which variety of Dutch elm you’re dealing with, quick action is vital if you’re aiming to preserve the health of your trees.

Signs of Dutch Elm Disease

Some signs of Dutch elm include yellowing and browning of leaves in late spring, dark lines or patterns underneath the bark on the flesh of the tree, and the presence of beetles that can carry the disease from tree to tree. Once a tree is infected, the disease can be passed via beetles, wood and fungi exposure, insect larvae, and even firewood. Because of the high risk of transmission, you should avoid the transportation of elm wood from all high-risk areas. Also, remember that if left untreated, a tree problem like Dutch elm disease can infect a tree and kill it within a single growing season.

Treating Tree Disease

Treating a tree disease such as the Dutch elm involves quite a bit of active management by tree care professionals like those at Maier Tree and Lawn. Part of the treatment involves prevention, such as the removal of infected trees from vulnerable tree populations, and regular application of potent fungicides. Tree care experts can work with you and your property to ensure that tree diseases are kept at bay during and after the growing season. Plus, if you have concerns about your property or tree population, our professionals can help you select trees for your yard that are resistant to Dutch elm and similar tree diseases.

At Maier Tree and Lawn, we can provide treatment support for tree diseases, consultations about resistant species, and services for tree removal in the event of Dutch elm infestations. For all of their tree disease mitigation needs, Winona, MN, residents can contact us today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

 

 

Most adult trees in Winona, MN, don’t need a lot of extra support in the winter thanks to their sturdy dispositions; while snow, sleet, ice, and wind are all part of the natural order in a traditional Minnesota winter, the majority of indigenous trees go through growth cycles that allow them to survive the frigid extremes. However, some weather events and patterns can lead to tree damage during the winter. If the tree damage is left untreated, you may find yourself with some seriously ill trees come spring. At Maier Tree and Lawn, we encourage tree owners to watch for signs of sunscald or tree damage that might not be so run-of-the-mill in order to help mitigate tree damage and support healthy trees even in a frigid climate.

Sunscald

Though winter presents quite a variety of challenges for trees across the state, sunscald is a type of tree damage that can fly under the radar. As the heat of the sun shines on the tree’s bark, it begins to warm the areas it can touch. But as soon as the sun loses direct contact with the tree, rapid freezing can occur that damages tree tissue. After repeated cycles of scalding and refreezing, you can be left with a wounded tree.

Trees That Can Experience Sunscald

Sunscald tends to occur on the surface of trees with thin layers of external bark. This may include young trees and recent growths, but specific species may also be more susceptible such as maple, crabapple, or cherry trees. These species and new growths tend to have less protection as opposed to species with hardier bark. However, any tree can suffer from sunscald under the right conditions.

Tree Damage

Like many forms of tree damage, prevention is always the best-case scenario. Preventing sunscald in the first place can involve the application of protective coverings or careful pruning that gives adequate coverage to potentially vulnerable parts of your trees. Our tree damage professionals can work with you to find a mitigation method that best suits your needs. If sunscald has already occurred, our tree care professionals can help you establish a care plan that prevents fungal infections and limits further damage.

If you’re looking to prevent sunscald from impacting your Winona, MN, trees this winter, contact Maier Tree and Lawn for prevention and treatment tips. Our tree damage professionals can guide your trees through a full recovery or help them stay sturdy in hazardous conditions. Call us today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

 

Your Winona, MN, trees will likely go through a lot of natural stages throughout their lives. From saplings to towering trunks and sprawling canopies, they have the potential to withstand severe weather and environmental conditions over the course of decades. However, some natural risks can pose a greater challenge for tree recovery than others. If one of your trees becomes impacted by a tree disease, for instance, its life could be cut short. The tree care professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn can help you diagnose and treat tree diseases before they damage your tree beyond repair.

Tree Disease

Tree diseases come in many different forms, but quite a few are caused by fungal infection. Fungi are ubiquitous in nature and occurs in some form pretty much anywhere with moisture. Some tree fungi may not be inherently deadly, but depending on the type of fungus in question, you may have a risk to your tree’s health on your hands.

Tree Fungus

Fungus can interfere with the essential growth mechanisms of your trees, can prevent them from receiving adequate nutrients, and can break down the material that composes your trees. In severe cases, a tree can be killed (or damaged beyond repair) when tree fungus is allowed to spread without intervention.

In Minnesota, some types of tree fungus may include, apple scab, lirula needle blight, rhizosphaera needle cast, oak wilt, diplodia tip blight, and more. Fungus tends to vary based on the tree species in question. Some types of fungus won’t impact incompatible tree types, while others may rapidly rip through a tree population. Tree fungus may be visible by growths or may be subtle as a discolored leaf collection or may be serious as significant foliage loss.

If your tree is experiencing fungal growth or seems to be impacted by a tree disease, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today for comprehensive tree treatment services. We offer tree disease support for Winona, MN, residents as well as property owners in the surrounding area. Call us today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

Like people, trees are susceptible to illness and disease. And like human diseases, tree diseases can quickly spread from tree to tree. While some trees manage to escape the worst of a disease, others prove more vulnerable. Protecting your Winona, MN, trees from diseases requires a fair amount of vigilance, especially if the disease in question is a fast-moving fungal one such as oak wilt. Our tree disease experts at Maier Tree and Lawn urge homeowners to keep their eyes peeled for signs of oak wilt so that if it occurs our tree health experts can step in and ensure a full recovery.

What trees are at risk for oak wilt?

As the disease’s name implies, oak trees are the primary targets for this particular fungal strain. Red oaks are the most vulnerable, but white oaks can also be afflicted with oak wilt. Depending on the species of oak, the apparent symptoms may vary slightly or even quite significantly. Oak trees that are growing close to each other may also be at risk of spreading oak wilt depending on their underlying root structure. Staying on top of any visible signs is especially vital if you have a tree grove or a lot of trees on your property.

What are the signs of oak wilt?

Oak wilt is transported primarily via the internal water transport systems of your trees. This means that it can spread very quickly and lead to wilting and discoloration. The wilting can occur as quickly as in four to five weeks. The tree’s leaves may turn brown or bronze starting from the outside and then inward. The leaves may also begin to drop as the tree becomes more ill.

What should you do if you spot symptoms of oak wilt?

As soon as any symptoms are spotted, it’s important to act. Tree diseases such as oak wilt kill thousands of trees a year, and depending on the proximity and species of the trees on your property, it may spread rapidly among more than a single tree. Plus, oak wilt can also be transmitted via insects, which means that homeowners should not prune during the growing season. Immediately calling a tree disease professional after identifying a symptom of oak wilt is the best way to protect all of your trees.

If you’re concerned that an oak tree on your Winona, MN, property has been impacted by oak wilt, call Maier Tree and Lawn today. Our tree disease experts can help evaluate and treat your trees, no matter their current condition. Call us at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website for more information.

Oak wilt is a fungal tree disease that’s notorious in over 20 states in the U.S., including Minnesota. It’s fast moving, deadly, and can rapidly spread between oaks which makes it a frustrating opponent for oak owners. Once oak wilt appears, requesting Maier Tree and Lawn’s professional tree disease control services is essential to prevent it from spreading further. Rochester, MN, residents who are concerned that their oak trees have contracted oak wilt should watch for telling symptoms and be prepared to quickly request professional intervention as soon as possible.

 

The symptoms of oak wilt vary from species to species, but as the name indicates, wilting is a common sign of trouble. Specifically, rapid wilting starting from the top of the tree and moving steadily downward. Wilt is also accompanied by discoloration of leaves and bark and significant leaf death. For red oaks, this process is often swift and brutal. For white oaks, it may appear more gradual. Knowing what type of tree you’re dealing with can make oak wilt much simpler to identify.

 

Identifying oak wilt can also be difficult as some of the symptoms are similar to other common tree afflictions. For novice arborists, the signs can be mistaken for bur oak blight, certain borer infestations, or other types of common fungi. Depending upon how intense the summer heat is some may also mistake the wilting for dehydration or sun damage. The identification of oak wilt matters because treatment is only possible when tree disease control experts know what they’re treating.

 

Unfortunately, tree disease control is a process that isn’t always a find-it and fix-it situation. Tree diseases can spread quickly and be hard to identify without a trained eye, and sometimes the disease moves so quickly that containment becomes more vital than recovery. If your oaks are too sick to save, tree disease control professionals will instead be able to focus on preserving all of the other trees on your property. This process entails separating the root system of the affected tree from others nearby.

 

Thanks to the efforts of tree disease control experts, oak wilt isn’t always a death sentence for your trees. If you notice signs of oak wilt on your Rochester, MN, property, contact Maier Tree and Lawn for information on how to proceed at (507) 286–8733 or visit our website for additional information.

The mighty Oak is a tree has a long history in Rochester, MN. Boasting a wide number of varieties, some types of Oak can grow up to 150 feet tall and can feature trunks wider than three feet. But as powerful as they appear, like all trees, oaks are tragically susceptible to disease. Two particular fungi tend to make themselves apparent in the late summer, and the tree experts at Maier Tree and Lawn want all tree enthusiasts to know what signs of trouble to look for in their towering leafy compatriots.

Some of the symptoms of bur oak blight can be confused with the more widely spread oak wilt. Their similar names are understandable when you look at the damage they cause side by side. Leaf death, wilting, browning, and purple lesions are all symptoms that both fungi cause, but the damage that oak wilt causes goes even further. Oak wilt can cause leaf death from the top of the tree downward at impressive rates. It also causes discoloration under the bark as it infests the tree.

Oak wilt is highly contagious and has been spreading since the 1940s. Without quick treatment, it can be fatal to trees. Certain measures can be taken to prevent the spread such as limiting firewood transportation and trunk injection treatments. Preventative measures are important as Oak wilt also has the ability to infect every type of oak, which is what sets it apart from Bur Oak Blight more than any other characteristic. As its name indicates, Bur Oak Blight only appears on Bur Oaks. This is good news for some tree owners who may be working with other varieties, but for Bur owners the blight has appeared with a vengeance in late summer and early fall for the last several years.

If you have spotted any signs of Oak Wilt or Bur Oak Blight in your Rochester, MN, trees, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 286-8733 or by visiting our website here for information on the proper steps to take. For a tree too far gone, removal may be the only option, but determining the proper containment methods and treatment can prevent other trees from suffering the same fate.