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Shrubs are a wonderful addition to almost any landscape. Like trees, however, shrubs can develop sickness that affects their health and appearance. Quality tree services help treat tree and shrub diseases, in some cases, but it can be tricky to determine when services are needed. Below are some sickness warning signs to watch for so that you can keep your plants in good shape. 

How to Tell Shrubs Are Sick or Diseased

1. Presence of Fungus

Fungal infections can take over a tree or shrub without prompt treatment, but fungus isn’t always easily identifiable. For instance, mold could produce gray, white, or black patches on leaves. The patches could have a furry or powdery appearance. Landscape shrubs often develop powdery mildew, a fungal infection that produces a fuzzy, white coating on leaves. 

Another common fungus is sooty black mold. It grows on the sticky, honeydew-like substance secreted by aphids. Diagnosing a fungal infection in a bush requires a trained eye and prompt treatment, so it’s best to contact a tree service if you detect unusual substances on your shrubs.

2. Leaf Discoloration & Wilting

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Leaf discoloration is a common sign of tree or shrub sickness. The foliage may develop a yellowish hue or have a generally dull appearance. Yellowing leaves can signify that the bush isn’t getting enough water or receiving too much water, so a proper diagnosis is necessary for treatment. Shrubs with brittle brown leaves that fall from branches may be dying. However, if the bush retains any green foliage, schedule a tree service to prune the dead or dying branches so that the plant thrives. 

3. No Growths During the Growing Season

It’s not unusual for some shrubs to go dormant during certain times of the year. For example, flowering almond and crape myrtle shrubs bloom in early spring and summer but remain inactive all winter. During dormancy, the plants may appear to be dead by shedding their green leaves and flowers. 

Drought-tolerant bushes like the blue star juniper may also look dead during drought-like weather conditions. When you have a seemingly dead shrub on your property during a dormant period, it’s best to wait until the environmental conditions improve so that the plant can resume its growth. If the plant retains its dead appearance in the growing season, its health is too far gone. It might be time to replace the shrub with a healthier plant. 

 

When you need dependable tree services to care for your shrubs and trees, reach out to Safe Tech Tree Service. Located in Johnstown, OH, this family-owned and –operated tree care company serves residents across central Ohio. Backed by 20 years of experience, their small team provides tree pruning and cabling for sick trees and bushes, as well as stump removal. Call (614) 565-8723 or visit their website to learn more about their services.

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