Protecting Your Trees and Shrubs from Disease

When it comes to protecting your trees and shrubs from disease, prevention is critical. Catching the problem early can be the difference between saving a tree or shrub and losing it altogether.

To help ensure that doesn’t happen, here are a few common tree and shrub diseases found in Southwestern PA, as well as tips on how to recognize them:

1. Anthracnose: This fungal disease affects a variety of deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, and dogwood, and is most common during cool, wet springs. Symptoms include discoloration or spots on the leaves and twigs, as well as wilting and premature leaf drop. To prevent this disease, try to keep your lawn free of fallen leaves that could serve as a source of infection.

2. Fire Blight: This bacterial disease is most common on apple, pear, and mountain ash trees. Symptoms include twig dieback, wilting, and leaves that appear scorched or burned. Pruning infected branches is the best way to prevent fire blight from spreading to other parts of the tree or shrub.

3. Powdery Mildew: This is a fungal disease that affects many types of trees and shrubs, particularly in humid climates. It appears as a white or gray powdery substance on the leaves and stems, which can eventually lead to leaf drop if left untreated. Pruning to improve air circulation and keeping the foliage dry are two ways to prevent this problem from worsening.

What Can I Do to Prevent Disease on My Trees and Shrubs?

By following these tips and recognizing the signs of common tree and shrub diseases in Southwestern PA, you can help protect your trees and shrubs from severe damage. Regular monitoring is recommended to ensure that any problems are caught early and treated appropriately.

Additionally, seeking professional help from Superior Lawn Care can increase the chances of saving infected trees or shrubs. Our landscape tree and shrub maintenance program has the tools needed to keep your vegetation healthy.

Our experienced, licensed technicians will visit your property every season to monitor and treat any disease or insect activity on your trees or shrubs. Contact us today to learn more!