Trees add natural beauty to a landscape and provide homeowners with extra shade and privacy. Unfortunately, a number of diseases can threaten the health of the trees on your property. Invest in proper tree care to give them a better chance of staying strong and resisting contamination. Also, recognizing the signs of an infected tree early can help prevent it from having to be removed. Here are some of the most common diseases that attack Illinois trees.

What Diseases Affect Trees in Illinois?

1. Leaf Scorch

Extreme weather conditions typically cause leaf scorch to develop on many different species. It’s identifiable by leaves that turn brown around the ends; leaf veins may also become yellow. Over time, the leaves start to wilt and fall off. Usually, the right tree care—consisting of watering, pruning, and fertilization—can revive a tree with leaf scorch.

2. Oak Wilt

Oak trees of all varieties can be affected by this fungal disease, which is spread by insects through root grafts. Generally, it results in wilting leaves, discoloration, defoliation, and death. Since there’s no cure, it’s vital to work with a certified arborist who can help implement preventative measures against it.

3. Anthracnose

This fungal disease frequently attacks dogwood, sycamore, ash, and oak trees. Usually, symptoms are visible on flowers, fruits, leaves, and shoots in the form of brown-colored blotches and discolored leaf veins. Proper tree care, such as pruning the infected areas and applying a copper-based fungicide, can successfully save the tree.

4. Dutch Elm

This fungal disease infects elm trees and is spread by the bark beetle. The fungus invades a tree and clogs its vascular tissues, preventing water from moving through. In turn, the tree’s leaves eventually begin to wilt, and its branches die. To identify this disease, a certified arborist may cut a live branch to see if brown streaking is present in the sapwood.

If you want to reduce the risk of your trees being attacked by harmful diseases, turn to Hudson Tree Service for professional help. They offer a full suite of effective tree care solutions for a variety of species. Backed by more than 50 years of experience, their team of certified arborists is familiar with the diseases known to affect trees throughout St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison counties, IL. They can provide a customized maintenance plan designed to protect your trees. Call (618) 233-2900 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online to learn more about their services.