Understanding tree diseases in Florida is important. Your trees are a vital part of your landscape and keeping them healthy should be at the forefront of your mind. Not only is having healthy trees something that’s aesthetically important, but they also need to stay structurally sound! If those trees get sick and lose their strength, then they could fall and do some serious damage. Knowing what kinds of tree diseases in Florida is common is always a good idea and understanding how professional arborists can help will enable you to keep your trees happy and healthy!

Fusiform Rust

This is one of the most destructive of the diseases that your trees can be afflicted by if you live in the Southeast. Fusiform rust is a stem disease that’s a fungus (Cronartium quercuum) that affects pine trees, particularly slash pines and loblolly pines. Let’s look at the symptoms of this tree diseases in Florida.

  • Cigar-shaped galls on the main stem of the tree.
  • Yellow-y orange blisters forming on said galls.
  • Rusty-looking spores that pop up when those infected parts burst open.

This disease is particularly bad, as it causes stem breakage that leads to instability. Treatments can include removing the bark from the infected parts of the tree and cutting out the infection, or fully removing it if it’s too far spread.

Ganoderma

Another incredibly common disease for trees and shrubs in Florida is Ganoderma, which is caused by the pathogen Ganoderma lucidium sneaking into a tear in the roots or any other area and attacking the root system. Here are some common symptoms:

  • Leaves start to wilt and turn yellow.
  • Tree starts to lose vitality as the sap starts to decay.
  • Reddish brown conks form on lower part of the trunk.

Now, once the conks form it’s usually too late for the tree. There’s also not really an effective treatment, so you should make sure your plant’s roots are protected.

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Laurel Wilt

If you have any trees in the Laurel family, then keep an eye out for Laurel Wilt. This is one of the tree diseases in Florida is caused by Raffaelea lauricola, which was originally introduced into the environment by the redbay ambrosia beetle (an invasive little guy). These are the common symptoms:

  • Leaves in the canopy will start to wilt and turn brown.
  • If you pull up the bark, there will be blue-black streaks underneath.
  • Teeny tiny holes filled with sawdust will start to appear all over.

This is not a reversible disease, so the best course of action is to remove the trees to prevent it from spreading. Be sure to burn or chip the infected tree, including the stump.

Oak Wilt

Oak trees are beloved in Florida for many reasons, but they are susceptible to a few different diseases, such as Oak Wilt. This is one of the tree diseases in Florida is caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fagacearum, which attacks the vascular system of the oak. Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden wilting and early leaf drop.
  • Vascular streaking in the sapwood.
  • Black/gray fungal mats.

This disease can look like others, so getting a pro in to diagnose is the smartest move. If the tree is infected, it will need to be removed and destroyed by chipping or burning.

The Professionals

While there are things that you can do to take care of your trees,  and help understand tree diseases in Florida. There are many instances that having a professional will be the best move. Arborists are essentially tree doctors, trained in various botanical fields to know what’s wrong with your trees and how (or even if) they can be fixed! You should be sure to check out their credentials, though, and ensure that they are as experienced as they say they are. This way you can make sure that your trees are in the best hands. Give us a call today or complete our online form.