The number one goal of most tree owners is to keep their trees as healthy as possible. Still, some pesky diseases like tree blight manage to find their way into trees regardless and then wreak havoc. So it makes sense that a tree buyer might want to stay away from species that are susceptible to tree blight, but can they?
The trouble is, tree blight can affect a variety of trees, including some of the most popular trees in our home state of Oregon. That’s why it’s a good idea to know which trees have a higher chance of contracting tree blight than others. It will help you and your tree if you can notice the symptoms early so that you can have it addressed by professionals as quickly as possible. Mr. Tree in Oregon can trim your tree, spot symptoms of disease, and cut your tree down should it need to go.
Are you wondering if the trees on your property could get tree blight? Here’s what exactly tree blight is, along with a few types of trees that are prone to getting tree blight.
What Is Tree Blight?
If you have had trees on your property die, you may have heard of this before. Tree blight refers to a variety of diseases that are usually caused by bacteria or fungus. It causes trees to differ in appearance by featuring discolored leaves, large cankers, and branch dieback. Tree blight can be the downfall of your tree and, without the proper maintenance or early detection, can end in needing to have your tree cut down.
Fruit Trees
When it comes to some fruit trees, there’s a specific type of blight that likes to attack. Pear and apple trees are specifically prone to a blight called fire blight. This kind of blight was given its name due to the scorched appearance it leaves on infected bark, leaves, or fruit. Once infected, the tree will quickly show signs that make your tree look like it’s been burned in a fire.
Much like wildfire, this infection grows rapidly and can begin to show signs only one or two weeks after the tree is exposed. It can be carried by insects, birds, or even the wind, so prevention can be difficult. Fire blight usually enters the tree at the tips and then works its way inward and down, causing dieback. Apple and pear trees are more commonly affected by fire blight, but it can happen to trees in the Rosaceous family as well. And while it may not kill the tree quickly, it can have a negative effect on the fruit it produces.
Pine Trees
Have you noticed the needles on your pine tree turning brown or falling off in one area? This could be caused by tree blight. Pine trees are especially susceptible to tree blight, as it has been known to affect nearly every pine species.
One type of blight known to affect pine trees is Dothistroma blight. When this disease is present in your pine tree, it specifically infects and kills the needles. It can also stunt the growth of the pine tree or kill it. Another kind of blight that infects pine trees is Diplodia blight, and it can stunt the tree’s growth or cause it to create new branches that grow brown needles. Stressed-out pine trees are specifically susceptible to tree blight, as their weakened state leaves them more vulnerable.
When trying to battle this blight, it’s best to have the infected branches removed. After being removed, it’s important to also remove them from the property. If left in your yard, this type of blight can create spores that can allow the disease to thrive and spread. Have your tree pruned by a professional, who can discard the fallen branches properly.
Chestnut Trees
Chestnut trees are susceptible to chestnut blight, which is a canker disease. This disease is the reason that the American chestnut tree nearly went extinct in the early 1900s. It is native to Asia but was introduced to North America in the early 1900s, wreaking havoc on chestnut trees on the East Coast.
Chestnut blight infects branches, shoots, and stems of any size. It causes the bark to display reddish patches, which eventually create swollen or sunken cankers. Rain, wind, and insects are known to transport the disease from tree to tree. Since its discovery, over a billion trees have succumbed to this disease.
Dogwood Trees
Flowering Pacific dogwood trees can become infected by anthracnose blight. This disease usually likes to hit during cool and wet spring weather. It shows its symptoms in a few ways, one being through the leaves of the tree. The leaves will begin to show tan spots that turn purple around the edges. Holes may also appear in the leaves.
Direct infection of shoots is also common, as tiny cankers and discoloration may occur, and then dieback among the twigs will begin. Smaller succulent shoots may appear in the large masses where twigs have shown dieback. These smaller twigs are very prone to contracting the disease and spreading it to more prominent parts of the tree.
Take the Next Steps
Knowing what some of the popular tree types are that get blight and some of the symptoms they show are great ways to get ahead of the situation. If caught early, there’s a chance that you can save your tree and prevent the disease from spreading to neighboring trees. But when it’s too late to save them, you’ll still need to address the problem.
When your tree is beyond help, it’s best to have it taken down. A diseased tree can infect nearby trees that are perfectly healthy, and it can also create a safety hazard on your property. Contact a professional to have your tree removed safely, with the right equipment used by knowledgeable professionals to do the job. Mr. Tree can remove your tree as well as provide a stump grinding service that will leave the area leveled and ready for something new.