EMERALD ASH BORER
Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive wood boring beetle that came from Asia and it attacks Ash trees.
This metallic green beetle was originally found in Michigan and Ontario Canada in 2002 and continues to spread across the country. The way that damage is caused is by the larvae feeding internally in the vascular tissue of the Ash tree and interrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Some early symptoms are the gradual thinning of the canopy and die-back of the limbs.
As the infestation progresses, the canopy will continue to thin and die back. In later stages of infestation, epicormic or new shoot growth at the base of the tree occurs. There are also visible “D” shaped exit holes in the tree as well as sloughing off of bark. If left untreated, death will occur.
ANTHRACNOSE
Anthracnose is also known as Leaf Blight. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that includes many species of fungi and effects many species of trees.
Some of the trees affected are Ash, Dogwood, Maple, Beech, Birch, Elm, Linden, Oak, Sycamore, Walnut, and Willow trees.
MAPLE COTTON SCALE
Hard scales are stationary, sucking insects that secrete a waxy covering over their bodies and looks like a plate of armor. They are round or oval in shape and can also be domed or flat.
There are several species of hard scales affecting many types of trees. Scales pierce the plant, suck out the nutrients and cause the plant to gradually decline in health/appearance. It is important to look for he presence of scale on a stem, leaf or twig. Another common sign of scale is a sticky secretion that will be on objects beneath the tree.
OAK WILT
Oak Wilt (Ceratocystis Fagacearm) is a fungal disease that effects the vascular system of the Red, Black, White, Pin, Burr oak species and can quickly kill an oak tree. Oak wilt is mostly found in eastern and central states including Michigan having infections sites in Spring Lake, Fruitport and Grand Haven Townships.
The fungus damages the Oak tree by causing the vascular system to become plugged and limits the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients. Some initial signs of Oak wilt are leaves that turn brown from the outer edges in. These symptoms spread very quickly throughout the tree causing defoliation and ultimately death to the tree.
There are many different ways that Oak trees become infected. One way is from open wounds during the growing season. An example of this could be pruning at improper times and storm damage to the tree and mechanical injury due to vehicles or equipment. When an Oak tree receives a wound during the growing season, it allows picnic beetles/sap beetles to transport the fugal disease from an infected tree to the tree with the wound. The disease can also spread through root graft transmissions to neighboring trees. In the event that you have trees that are infected, it is crucial to hire a competent arborist with experience in the field of Oak Wilt to mitigate losses and control the spread of the disease.
If you have further question please contact us and we can set up a consultation with one of our arborist.