Diagnosis of Sick Trees

Diagnosis and Treatment, Disease Management

The first line of defense against pests and diseases is plant health. The healthier a tree or shrub, the better able it is to naturally fend off insects and diseases. At Panorama Tree Care our primary focus is preventative pest management through overall tree care. Even with preventative maintenance, sometimes serious maladies can affect your trees. When this is the case, our Arborists will evaluate the specific pest and overall tree condition and recommend the most effective and environmentally sensitive management approach.

Diagnosis

Correct diagnosis of plant /tree health problems require a careful examination of the situation.

1.) Accurately identify the plant. Because many insects and diseases are plant-specific, this information can quickly limit the number of suspected diseases and disorders.

2.) Look for pattern of abnormality. It may be helpful to compare the affected plant with other plants on the site, especially those of the same species. Differences in color or growth may present clues as to the sources of the problems. No uniform damage patterns may indicate insects or diseases. Uniform damage over a large area (perhaps several plant species) usually indicates disorders caused by such factors as physical injury, poor drainage, or weather.

3.) Carefully examine the landscape. The history of the property and adjacent land may reveal many problems. The number of species affected may also help distinguish between infectious pathogens that are more plant-specific as compared to chemical or environmental factors that affect many different species. Most living pathogens take a relatively long time to spread throughout an area, so if a large percentage of plants become diseased virtually overnight, a pathogen is probably not involved.

4.) Examine the roots. Note their color: brown or black roots may signal problems. Brown roots often indicate dry soil conditions or the presence of toxic chemicals. Black roots usually reflect overly wet soil or the presence of root-rotting organisms.

5.) Check the trunk and branches. Examine the trunk thoroughly for wounds because they provide entrances for pathogens and wood-rotting organisms. Wounds can be caused by weather, fire, lawn mowers, and rodents, as well as a variety of other environmental and mechanical factors. Large defects may indicate a potentially hazardous tree.

6.) Note the position and appearance of affected leaves. Dead leaves at the top of the tree are usually the result of environmental or mechanical root stress. Twisted or curled leaves may indicate viral infection, insect feeding, and overexposure to herbicides. The size and color of the foliage may tell a great deal about the plant’s condition. Make note of these and any other abnormalities.

Diseases

Three things are required for a disease to develop:

1.) The presence of a pathogen (the disease-causing agent).

2.) Plant susceptibility to that particular pathogen.

3.) An environment suitable for disease development. Plants vary in susceptibility to pathogens. Many disease-prevention programs focus on the use of  pathogen-resistant plant varieties. Even if the pathogen is present and a susceptible plant host is available, the proper environmental conditions must be  present over the correct period of time for the pathogen to infect the plant. Diseases can be classified into two broad categories: those caused by  infectious or living agents (diseases) and those caused by noninfectious or nonliving agents (disorders). Examples of infectious agents include fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Noninfectious diseases, which account for 70% to 90% of all plant problems in urban areas, can be caused by such factors as          nutrient deficiencies, temperature extremes, vandalism, pollutants, and fluctuations in moisture. Noninfectious disorders often produce symptoms similar to those caused by infectious diseases; therefore, it is essential to distinguish between the two in order to give proper treatment.