Some tree diseases are relatively minor, affecting the tree for a season or two until the tree is able to fight them off. Powdery mildew disease is one example. It causes a fluffy white fungus to appear on the leaves, but it doesn't do much damage long-term. Sadly, however, there are other tree diseases that are far more destructive. They take over the tree and essentially kill it — leaving you with no better option than to remove the tree. So what are some signs that your tree has come down with one of these serious, soon-to-kill-it infections? Take a look.
Mushrooms Emerging From the Trunk or Butt
They look like mushrooms and they are definitely a type of fungus, but when they emerge from the tree's trunk, they are actually known as brackets. These bracket fungi can be indicative of any number of root and butt rot diseases, such as armillaria root rot or fusarium root rot. These fungi move into the tree's trunk, root, and butt tissues and just take over. By the time brackets appear, the tree is beyond saving. Soon, nutrients and water won't be able to reach its leaves and limbs, so those leaves and limbs will start dying. You're better off removing the tree now than waiting for a limb to fall on someone or something.
D-Shaped Holes in an Ash Tree
If you have an ash tree on your property and you've noticed odd, D-shaped holes in its bark, then sadly, this tree has become infested with emerald ash borers. This is actually an insect infestation and not technically a disease, but it's deadly nonetheless. The emerald ash borers, which are green beetles, lay their eggs on the ash tree's bark. The eggs hatch into larvae, which burrow into the tree and eat its vascular tissue. Once they mature, they exit, leaving those characteristic, D-shaped holes. There's no saving a tree with emerald ash borers, so take it down before the beetles get a chance to spread.
Crown Death
If a random limb or two are dying, this could be caused by almost anything. On the other hand, if the tree seems to be dying from the midsection of the crown downward, it almost certainly has a deadly infection. Dutch elm disease can cause this symptom in elm trees. Walnut blight can cause it in walnut trees. There are equivalent fungal infections for most hardwood species. Rather than wait for the other branches to die, you are better off taking the tree down.
If you are not sure whether your tree is diseased and in need of removal, reach out to a tree removal service near you for advice.
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