TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Japanese Maple Problems, Pests and Diseases
Have you noticed that your beloved Japanese maple tree is not looking its best? It could be facing a variety of problems, including pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on its health and beauty. In this article, we will explore common issues that Japanese maple trees face and provide tips on how to identify and treat them.
Common pests affecting Japanese maple trees
Japanese maple trees are susceptible to a range of pests that can cause damage to their leaves and bark. These pests include:
Aphids
Scale insects
Spider mites.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be easily identified by their pear-shaped bodies and the sticky residue they leave behind, known as honeydew. To prevent aphid infestations, it is important to keep your maple tree well-maintained and free from debris. Pruning any affected branches and using organic insecticidal soap can help control aphids and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the tree.
Scale insects are another common pest that can infest Japanese maple trees. These tiny insects attach themselves to the leaves and stems of the tree, sucking out its sap and causing damage. Signs of scale infestation include yellowing leaves, sticky residue, and black sooty mold. To get rid of scale insects, you can use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to suffocate and kill them. Regularly inspecting your tree and removing any scales manually can also help prevent infestations.
Spider mites are tiny pests that are barely visible to the naked eye. They feed on the sap of the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die. To control spider mites, you can use a strong blast of water to dislodge them from the leaves. Additionally, introducing natural predators, such as ladybugs, can help keep the spider mite population in check.
Japanese maple tree diseases and their management
The most commonly sees diseases on Japanese Maple trees are:
Powdery Mildew
Verticillium Wilt
Anthracnose
Leaf Spot
Apart from powdery mildew and verticillium wilt, Japanese maple trees can be susceptible to other diseases such as anthracnose. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes dark, sunken lesions on the leaves, stems, and branches. Fungicides and proper sanitation practices can help manage anthracnose and prevent it from spreading to other trees.
Another common disease that affects Japanese maple trees is leaf spot. Leaf spot is caused by various fungi and bacteria and manifests as small, dark spots on the leaves. Regular arborist inspections on your trees and promptly removing any infected leaves can help prevent the spread of leaf spot.
Tips for maintaining the health of Japanese maple trees
To ensure the long-term health and vitality of your Japanese maple tree, there are several tips you can follow:
Provide adequate sunlight: Japanese maple trees thrive in partial shade, so make sure to plant them in an area where they receive dappled sunlight throughout the day.
Water properly: Japanese maple trees prefer moist, well-drained soil. Avoid over-watering, as it can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
Mulch around the base: Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of your maple tree can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Regular pruning: Pruning your tree regularly can help remove dead or diseased branches, improve air circulation, and promote healthy growth.
Fertilize appropriately: Japanese maple trees have specific nutrient requirements. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for maple trees to provide the necessary nutrients without over-stimulating growth.
Japanese maple tree care and maintenance
In addition to following the tips mentioned above, regular care and maintenance are crucial for the health and longevity of your Japanese maple tree. Here are a few additional steps you can take:
Regularly inspect your tree for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection can help prevent the spread of infestations or diseases. We recommend having annual arborist consultations on your trees to keep them happy, healthy and thriving for years to come.
Remove any fallen leaves or debris from around the tree to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases.
Protect your tree from extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds or heavy snowfall, by providing support or shelter when necessary.
Monitor the soil moisture levels and adjust your watering schedule accordingly, especially during hot and dry periods.
Consider consulting with a professional arborist for proper tree care and maintenance, especially if you are unsure about specific issues or treatments.
Japanese maple trees are prized for their beauty and elegance, but they can be vulnerable to a range of pests and diseases. By staying vigilant and taking proactive measures, you can protect your tree from common problems such as aphids, scale insects, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. Regular care and maintenance, along with proper watering and fertilization, will help ensure the long-term health and vitality of your beloved Japanese maple tree. Remember, a healthy tree is a beautiful tree. Certified arborists can help your landscape reach it maximum potential and raise the overall value of your property.
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When To Worry About Tree Cavities
It is very common to see knots, cavities and splits in the trunk or branches of your trees. As your trees mature, they bring these growth scars with them. But when should you worry about a large cavity in a tree?
While we always recommend having a certified arborist evaluation on your trees of concern, there are a few factors to take into consideration when assessing the severity of this situation.
1. Size of the cavity
As long as the cavity it relatively small in size, it shouldn’t be able to compromise the trees overall health and structure. Large cavities, however, may result in weakening of the tree and ultimately tree failure. Trees with large cavities should be assessed by a tree care professional.
2. Overall health
Another thing to consider is the overall health of the tree. If it is covered with dead or dying limbs, or show any signs of pest infestations or fungi growth from the bottom up, it is less likely to survive. If you have your trees on a regular tree trimming and maintenance schedule with a local tree care company, as well as having regular tree care professional visits, the odds are much more in your favor.
3. Location of the tree cavity
Location matters when dealing with cavities in trees. If the cavity is near the base of the tree, it is at immediate risk of falling and should be assessed by a tree care professional immediately. Additionally, is the cavity is located at a branch collar or where the branch meets the trunk of the tree, it is also a fall hazard to anything underneath or close by.
Overall, tree cavities can be unsightly and raise concern but as long as they are assessed regularly by a certified arborist, it is not always necessary to remove them.
If you are concerned about a cavity in your tree, click the link below to be connected with one of our tree care professionals for immediate assistance.
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Does My Tree Have Brittle Cinder Fungus?
What is brittle cinder fungus?
Brittle cinder is a fungus found on trees that causes breakage on otherwise healthy trees. This fungus will appear on the base as a grey crust-like body. The fungus will turn black as it ages. It originally enters the tree through open wounds, degrading the structure of the tree, making it brittle and vulnerable for breakage. Without an arborist inspection, this fungus will go on undetected until damage occurs. When the fungus is found at the base, the tree may snap off completely.
Some tree species are more vulnerable than others, including:
Horse Chesnut
Beech
Maple
Oak
How do I treat brittle cinder fungus?
Unfortunately, there are no treatments or pesticides that are effective with brittle cinder. Once your tree is infected with brittle cinder, complete tree removal is recommended to prevent further damage or spread. Making sure your trees are healthy and well maintained is the key to prevention. Having regular arborist inspections will ensure fungus and other disease issues do not go unnoticed.
If you are interested in having a free estimate with one of our certified arborists, please click the link below to be connected!
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Japanese Maple Diseases
Japanese maple trees are a highly favored variety among homeowners for many different reasons.
They are fairly easy to grow and maintain, if they are planted properly and on a sufficient watering schedule.
They come in many different varieties of heights and colors.
They can adapt to smaller spaces where other specimen might fall short.
Usually any issues that arise are due to maintenance, as they are pretty disease resistant.
However, no tree is completely disease free and are susceptible to certain types of pests. We’ve listed a few of the most common pests and diseases that typically attack Japanese Maple trees.
Verticillium Wilt
This is a soil born fungi that is usually brought on by environmental stressors such as drought, frost or wet soil. The most common symptom of verticillium wilt is branch die back. We recommend regular maintenance pruning of all trees, but especially if dead limbs are present. Other treatment options might be available to you by a local tree arborist.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is another type of fungal disease that not only attacks Japanese Maple trees, but a large variety of other trees and shrubs as well. This is most commonly seen during rainy seasons or areas with high humidity. Symptoms of anthracnose on Japanese Maple trees are spots or scorch on the leaves. Performing regular tree trimming and removing all infected leaves are good practices to avoid and treat this disease.
Phytophthora Root Rot
Japanese maple trees have never adapted well to over watering. They are highly susceptible to root rot because they have a low tolerance to soil that does not drain well. Proper planting and maintaining a watering regimen specific to Japanese Maple tree is the best treatment.
Japanese Maple Scale
Scale insects such as the armored scale favor the Japanese Maple tree under stress. If your Japanese Maple tree is not getting enough water, has suffered an injury or is under any other type of environmental stress, this can be an open invitation to scale insects to attack. These insects are usually seen on the bark and sometimes can be manually removed with soapy water. We recommend consulting a local certified arborist if you notice any pests on your trees.
If you have noticed your Japanese Maple trees showing any symptoms of stress, we encourage you to click the link below to be connected to a certified arborist for a free tree assessment. Remember the best practice is prevention!
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How To Winterize Fruit Trees
Prevention is key in caring for fruit trees. After your fruit trees have become infested with certain diseases such as peach leaf curl, brown rot, or pests, it can be much more costly to cure the problem rather than simple prevention.
If you haven’t yet planted your fruit trees yet, its a good idea to do some research on different varieties. There are many different specimens of fruit trees that are resistant to the bigger diseases and problems such as:
Pears
Plums
Cherries
How do I prepare my fruit trees for winter?
The first step in preparing your trees for winter time is doing a good old fashioned fall cleanup. This includes removing any rotten or dropped fruit on the ground and on the trees and raking up all the leaves around the base that could be a good hiding spot for particular pests.
Next, you will want to establish, if you haven’t already, a solid maintenance tree trimming plan with an ISA certified arborist. Tree trimming in winter is vital to removing all dead and diseased branches, allowing your trees to reach their full potential next season and ward off any threats of pests entering old wounds. Be sure you have your tree trimming done in winter time, their dormant season, unless otherwise deemed necessary by an ISA certified arborist.
Finally, you can choose to spray dormant oils, a non toxic prevention method that seems to work well for apple trees, plum trees and pear trees in winter. This can help to keep common pests like aphids and scale insects away.
If you have fruit trees that could use some attention or would like more tips and tricks to provide them with the best fruit tree care in Snellville, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists now!
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What is the green stuff growing on my trees?
Most of the time, in damp, shady areas you will spot a substance on the branches or trunk of a seemingly declining tree. This substance can be either lichen or moss.
What’s the difference between lichen and moss on trees?
Lichen
A combination of fungi and algae
Can be a range of colors including blue, green gray etc.
Appears in thin flaky patches
Moss
Always dark green
Coarse texture
Does moss or lichen harm my tree?
Lichen does not harm trees, though it might seem that way because they are usually found on declining specimen. Actually, lichen just tends to thrive on unhealthy trees because when they are under stress, there are usually less leaves and branches, allowing more light to shine on the trunk and creating the perfect environment for lichen to take over.
How can I get rid of moss or lichen on my trees?
There is no pressing need to rid the tree of moss or lichen as it does no harm to your trees and actually can be beneficial to the environment by providing a food source for many birds and other animals. However, if you would still like to get rid of it, a fungicide called copper sulfate can be applied by an ISA certified Arborist to kill it.
If you have moss or lichen on your trees, it is best to have them assessed properly by one of our ISA certified Arborists to rule out any potential tree disease, tree decay or pests that could be causing stress on the tree to begin with. Use the link below to be connected with an ISA certified arborist today!
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Signs You Might Have A Bark Beetle Infestation
There are more than 600 different species of bark beetles and over 41.7 millions acres of land destroyed from them. They are becoming more common as time goes on and date back to 1996, when the first outbreak began in the U.S. Bark beetles usually go after the weaker trees, decayed or already taken over by some sort of fungus or bacteria. They kill the trees by cutting off their food and water transport abilities.
Symptoms of bark beetles include:
Pitch tubes, reddish brown in color on the outside of the bark
Sawdust substances around bark
Woodpecker holes could indicate there are bark beetles present
Leaves and needles turn from green to reddish brown
Tree decline
Unfortunately, once the symptoms of bark beetles are noticed, it usually is too late to apply a pesticide and the tree must be removed to prevent further spread in the area. If you notice the bark beetles early on in their cycle, a pesticide can be applied by a certified Arborist that kills the adults when they land on the tree. This will prevent them from entering, laying eggs and repeating the cycle.
When applying pesticides, make sure you use a certified arborist, as these chemicals can be dangerous and cause more harm to the good and helpful insects of the tree.
If you suspect bark beetles on your trees, it is important to contact your local ISA certified arborist immediately to remediate the situation before they take over.