Oregon is home to a diverse climate that makes it a beautiful landscape for various types of trees. You'll find different types of maple trees, like the vine maple or big leaf maple. The Oregon white oak is native to this picturesque state. However beautiful these trees are, they are still capable of getting tree diseases. Tree services often see diseased trees that may need to come down. Keep reading to learn about the most common conditions a tree service sees throughout Oregon.

Swiss Needle Cast

The timber industry is huge throughout Oregon. You'll see extensive forests of Douglas fir trees throughout the state because they're an essential part of the region's timber industry. However, these trees are also prone to Swiss Needle Cast. This is a tree disease that only impacts fir trees. A tree service can usually tell if a tree has this disease because the needles turn yellow and fall off. In crowded areas, the condition can quickly spread from one tree to the next.

Sudden Oak Death

Sudden Oak Death is a dangerous tree disease known for killing trees. It sounds like it would only impact oak trees, but it has also been seen in the Douglas fir tree. This disturbing tree disease makes leaves fall off. Trees will develop large cankers on the trunk. A tree can die rather quickly, hence the name. Traditionally, this disease was mainly seen in California, according to the Center for Invasive Species Research, but it has been spotted in Oregon in recent years. It's essential to call a tree service as soon as you see the signs.

Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch Elm Disease is primarily found in Elm trees throughout the state. Usually, this tree disease is spread by the Elm beetle. In the early stages of this disease, the tree continues to flourish. Eventually, however, it blocks the tree's water-conducting tissues, so it doesn't receive proper nourishment. The leaves will slowly wilt and die. The rest of the tree will soon follow. The best way to prevent Dutch Elm Disease is to only prune trees between October and April when the beetles aren't active. If you notice that your leaves are wilting, it's essential to contact a tree service as soon as possible to ensure the disease doesn't continue to spread.

Verticillium Wilt

Verticillium Wilt is a fungus that is usually found in soil. It can make its way into trees. The main sign of this tree disease is that leaves will turn brown and fall off long before fall hits. Maple, dogwood, ash, and linden trees are more likely to suffer from this disease than others. Usually, this fungus is found in trees that are already weak from damage or stress. A local tree service can teach you how to prevent stress. You should also call them if you have a damaged tree so they can remove the damaged portion. This can prevent disease.

Thousand Cankers Disease

Thankfully, walnut trees are the only species susceptible to Thousand Cankers Disease, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This disease causes many cankers to develop under the bark. As the disease progresses, the tree gets weaker and eventually dies. When you spot a canker, you must contact a tree service for a thorough inspection. Although walnut trees are the only ones that can get Thousand Cankers Disease, there are a lot of other diseases that can cause cankers on a tree. It's important to work with professionals if you notice unusual lumps and bumps on a tree to ensure you don't have a dangerous tree disease on your hands.

Root Diseases

Various root diseases are found throughout Oregon. The most common root disease we see is laminated root rot. This disease attacks the tree's roots, making it impossible for trees to soak up the water and nutrients they need to survive. This disease starts slowly and eventually leads to the trees not getting water or food. The lack of water and nutrients leads to a quick death. The best way to address this disease is prevention. Usually, it spreads from an infected stump to healthier trees. However, it's also essential to keep an eye on the leaves of trees, even if you don't have old stumps in your yard. It can spread from other trees and through the soil. Contact a local tree service to remove stumps to help prevent diseases from spreading or if you notice the canopy on your tree is thinning.

Hawthorne Leaf Blight

This type of tree disease causes reddish spots on the leaves of a tree. Spots on leaves may be yellow before turning a reddish brown. Eventually, the leaves will fall off the tree. This slowly results in the canopy of the tree thinning, impacting the tree's health. Cutting off the diseased portion of the tree can usually save the tree. You'll also need to check nearby trees for leaf blight symptoms because it can spread from one tree to another. The main symptom of leaf and root diseases is that the leaves change color. If you notice this before the weather cools down, it's best to start considering the possibility of a tree disease.

Tree Disease Prevention

Home and forest owners can take several steps to prevent tree diseases before they happen. A local tree service can remove stumps to ensure conditions don't spread to nearby trees. Address diseased and damaged trees as soon as possible. Take the time to research the type of trees you have and common tree diseases. You'll also need to learn how to take care of trees properly. For example, only pruning elm trees during recommended times prevents disease because pruning trees leaves an open wound for elm beetles to infect the tree with disease.

Diseased Tree Signs

It's impossible to learn about every tree disease that can infect your beautiful mature trees. This article details some of the most common tree diseases a local tree service will find in Oregon, but it is not a complete list. Instead, try to look for signs of a problem with your tree. Wilting or discolored leaves signal a problem, even if that's the only sign. The wilting and discoloration can indicate root rot or leaf blight. Regularly inspect trees for problems like cankers. Push on the trunks of trees to determine if they feel soft, which is a sign the tree is diseased under the bark. If you notice anything unhealthy, contact tree companies for an inspection.

Disease Treatment Benefits

There are several advantages home and forest owners get from working with a local tree service to treat diseased trees. According to HGTV, having mature trees in a well-maintained yard can increase property value by 7%-19%. Homeowners won't have to worry that diseases are spreading throughout their yard or garden, which they will if not appropriately treated. Those in the forest industry will enjoy higher profits because they have strong trees that produce high-quality wood.

Diseased trees can hurt your property value and the local economy. If you live near a forest, diseases can spread into the woods, hurting the timber industry. That's why working with a local tree company is essential to maintain the health of your trees. Make sure to have stumps properly removed and continuously invest in professional pruning services. Our experienced staff can offer you a thorough evaluation to let you know the best course of action for your diseased tree. Contact Eduardo's Tree Service today to schedule an appointment.