Tag Archives: Tree Diseases

Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Wilt Tree Disease

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Oak trees are magnificent parts of our landscapes. So when they begin to show signs of disease or infestation, it is only natural for us to be concerned. Learn about Oak Wilt, a common tree disease that may be the cause of your current Oak tree problems.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842


Oak Wilt is one of the most common infectious tree diseases in the country. It is caused by a fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum. This invasive fungus enters a tree’s vascular tissues and incapacitates the water transportation lines within the tree. And without sufficient levels of water, a tree cannot survive.

Which Oak Trees are Susceptible?

All Oak trees can become victims of Oak Wilt, however, there are some species that seem to be more susceptible than others. Red Oaks, namely Spanish Oaks, are highly-susceptible, while on the other end of the spectrum, White Oaks are resistant to Ceratocystis fagacearum and are hardly ever affected by the disease.

Is Oak Wilt Contagious?

Oak Wilt is spread in one of two ways. The fungus can be carried from tree to tree by beetles and other insects, or it can spread through grafting roof. If you have an Oak tree that is currently affected, and it is located next to another Oak, there is a good chance the disease will spread through the root systems. However, the disease can also travel over long distances with the help of insects.

What are the Signs of Oak Wilt?

Although signs are hard to tell, you can try inspect your trees to determine whether or not Oak Wilt is to blame for their decline. Most often, laboratory cultures are the only way to truly know if Oak Wilt is present. White oaks exhibit leaf decline, such as wilting leaves, discolored leaves, dropping leaves, and dead leaves, while Red oaks barely show any signs at all. You will need a licensed tree care contractor to help with your tree diagnosis.

How Do I Protect My Tree From Oak Wilt?

Unfortunately, there is no way to control the spread of Oak Wilt, but there are ways to protect your tree from becoming infected. Preventative maintenance is the key to preventing Oak Wilt. This involve routine tree care, such as pruning, fertilizing, and spraying. Proper pruning is important to prevent open wounds in trees. For this same reason, you must also take extreme care when mowing the lawn or weed-trimming. It is also important to properly dispose of trees that were infected, otherwise, spreading will likely occur. An insecticide spray can be used prior to infection, as well.

Is it Possible to Cure an Infected Oak Tree?

Once a tree is infected with Ceratocystis fagacearum, it is a challenge to treat unless the tree is fairly young. The most common technique is to sever the root connections in order to stop the transmission of the fungus. However, this is not always a success if there is a large Oak Wilt epidemic in the area. There are no other current chemical treatments for Oak Wilt. Tree removal and root disconnection are the most effective treatments available.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Owner Curt Scott is a licensed tree care specialist that offers a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town.

Be on the Lookout for These Common Tree Diseases

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Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Since we love our trees, it is natural for us to want to protect them. They are vulnerable living organisms just like us, so they are susceptible to disease and infection. There are more than 30 diseases that affect trees all across the country, many of which are preventable with proper tree care. They can either cause a serious decline in tree health, or worse, lead to tree fatalities.

Tree problems are the root of the frequency of expensive tree replacement in residential settings, and have even had a major impact on the commercial expense of future losses of products derived from forests. While most affect landscaping trees, these tree diseases can also affect large copses, forests, and more. Continue reading to learn more about some of the common tree disease we see here in Indiana.

Common Indiana Tree Diseases:

✤ Armillaria Root Rot

Also known as Shoestring Root Rot, the principle fungus is called Armillaria mellea, but several other pathogens are involved. These pathogens attack the base and the roots of a tree. They primarily attack conifers and hardwoods, causing a long list of health implications that eventual lead to death if left untreated. One of the most common is characteristic mushroom growth at the base of a tree. In most cases of Armillaria Root Rot, a tree is attacked when it is in an advanced state of decline (i.e. malnutrition, pest infestation, open bark wounds, etc.). In a weakened state, trees are more susceptible to diseases.

✤ Fire Blight

If you have fruit trees, you should be aware of Fire Blight. It mostly affects pear, apple, and plum trees, but can also affect many others. Fire Blight is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, and commonly spreads by insects and rainfall. It gets its name from its characteristic effect on leaves, turning them into a blackish-brown color, which makes them appear burnt. This is usually the first noticeable sign of Fire Blight. Once a tree if infected, it can be treated with specialized tree disease treatment and proper tree pruning.

✤ Spruce Tree Disease

This disease is caused by the pathogens Phomopsis and Sphaeropsis, also referred to as Diplodia. These pathogens began attacking spruce trees 4 or 5 years ago in Indiana. Generally, they attack trees when they are in a weakened or vulnerable state. They add to the stress of the tree, causing a long list of complications, and often times, death.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We treat tree diseases, and provide a wide range of additional tree services for both commercial and residential properties across Central Indiana. We also offer senior discounts and competitive prices! Call and request a free estimate for tree work, anytime!

Is My Tree Being Attacked By Emerald Ash Borers?

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Ash trees are a common species here in Indiana. But unfortunately, through the months of May and August they are primary targets for an invasive beetle called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). These flat-backed, metallic-green beetles are not from around here though. They arrived from Asia over a decade ago inside packing material made from Ash wood. And although first detected in Detroit, Michigan in 2002, they are now found all across the mid-West and eastern coasts as a result of interstate commerce and transportation of Ash firewood, nursery stock, and logs.

Identify Ash Trees

When EABs attack Ash trees, you can see the signs and symptoms within a few days. To determine if your trees are Ash trees, look at their branches and the placement of their twigs. Ash trees have branches with twigs that grow opposite of each other, somewhat like human arms. If the twigs are staggered, it is not an Ash tree. If you do have Ash trees, the next step in determining if they are under attack by EABs, you need to learn the signs and symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

Keep in mind that many signs and symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer attacks are similar to other tree diseases and Ash tree pests. So it is best to talk to a professional tree care specialist to know for sure if your Ash trees are infested, or simply ill from other circumstances. Here are the common signs and symptoms Ash Trees exhibit under stress from Emerald Ash Borers:

EAB Symptoms:

Woodpeckers – If Ash trees are experiencing increased woodpecker activity, it is a sign that Emerald Ash Borers are present. Woodpeckers love these juicy larvae, and will feed on them constantly if they are in your Ash trees.

Epicormic Sprouting – This is a common symptom of a tree under duress. Epicormic sprouting is when a tree starts to grow branches and leaves from anywhere it can, as a desperate attempt to thrive. These branches and leaves usually grow from the base of the trees and the trunk.

Bark Splits – Vertical splits in the bark occur from callus tissue growth that develops as a result of larval galleries. In fact, you can often see larval galleries underneath bark splits.

Crown Die-Back – After several years of EAB larvae feeding, Ash trees will suffer from upper and outer crown die-back. Since EAB larvae prevents adequate nutrition and water intake for an Ash tree, the leaves begin to drop and the branches begin to die throughout the canopy. Foliage discoloration at tree tops can also occur.

EAB Signs:

Letter-Shaped Holes – Holes that appear in the shape of an “S” or a “D” are common signs of larvae galleries and emergence holes for adult beetles. They are usually around an 1/8 of an inch wide. Larval galleries create the S-shaped holes, while emerging adult beetles create the D-shaped holes.

Larvae – If you can see larvae feeding underneath an Ash tree’s bark, then it is most likely an EAB infestation. They are cream-colored larvae, slightly-flattened and up to 1 ½ inch long.

Beetles – If you can see adult green beetles, they could very-well be Emerald Ash Borers. It is encouraged to contact a licensed tree service company for help identifying EABs, and resolving Emerald Ash Borer problems.

Budget Tree Care

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree removal and tree care in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Owner, Curt Scott, has several decades of experience in the tree care industry, and uses the latest advancements and technologies to provide quality tree service at an affordable price. In fact, we guarantee to FIT YOUR BUDGET! Request a free estimate or free tree care advice, anytime. Call 317-590-1842 to speak with Curt directly, and see for yourself just how affordable Indianapolis tree service can be!

Common Tree Diseases and Treatments

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There is a wide variety of trees and other flora in Indiana to admire year round. From lush pines to fruit bearing trees, there is so much to appreciate every season. Unfortunately, trees can become ill from a plethora of contagions and infections, causing death and decay. Garden and tree enthusiasts work hard to protect and preserve their crops, shrubbery, and orchards; but there are still some common threats that can cause deterioration and corrosion in trees and other plant life. Continue reading to learn about some common ailments that threaten the lives of trees and vegetation in Indiana, and how to treat them effectively.

Chestnut Blight

The American Chestnut Tree faced near extinction in the early 1900’s due to this threatening tree illness. A simple analogy can help understand the health implications caused by this disease; chestnut blight is to trees as small pox is to humans. Chestnut Blight affects the bark and leaves of a tree, causing cankers and orange-brown stains. It can only be treated with a series of chemical tree injections. These injections are non-hazardous to the environment but should always be administered by a tree care professional.

Heart Rot

Heart Rot is another common infection that can harm trees. It uniquely attacks hardwood trees; which happen to be quite prevalent in Indiana. Signs of this disease include fungus and mushroom cap growth. The infection causes deterioration from within, eventually weakening the branches and bark of a hardwood tree. Treatment is complicated, but still possible. It requires expert pruning and dead wooding in order to get the tree in a healthy state of growth. Again, a professional tree care technician is recommended for such diseases.

Elm Disease

Also happening in the early 1900’s was oversea shipping and trading. These shipments brought in non-native beetles, commonly referred to as Dutch Beetles. These insects are common predators of Elm Trees in Indiana and prefer to attack trees that are already infected with a fungal disease. Some familiar signs of Elm Disease include yellowing of bark and leaves, and death right before Fall. Typically, tree removal is the only option for Elm Disease, other than prevention.

For more information about tree diseases and treatments in Indianapolis, call Budget Tree Removal at 317-590-1842 today. Curt Scott, owner and operator, retains decades of experience and training in professional tree service. He and his team of licensed tree technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technologies to safely and effectively remove or service trees in residential and commercial lots. Call for a free estimate or information about tree disease and treatment in Indianapolis, Indiana today!