Prune Trees At The Right Time
Many people prune their trees and shrubs to keep them healthy and strong. Pruning trees at the right time will actually make the tree healthier and more beautiful.
However, pruning them at the wrong time increases the risk of tree fungus. Very generally speaking, the best time to prune your trees is during the winter months while theyre dormant. If you prune trees during the warmer months, the wounds on the trees will not heal as fast as they should. This makes them vulnerable to catch diseases.
The kicker is that the right time prune a tree often varies based on the species, so it is important to do a little research. For example, pruning an oak tree in the early spring will increase the chances of fungus entering, while other species are best pruned during this time. Again, generally speaking, winter dormancy is usually a good time to prune.
How To Remove Honey Fungus
There are no chemical controls for honey fungus at present. The only option is to dig out the affected plant, complete with all its roots, and burn it or take it to landfill. This should be enough to kill the bootlace rhizomorphs that spread out from the host plant, but if the fungus has already taken hold on other plants, you may need to remove them as well.
Other tips to control the spread of honey fungus in the garden include:
- Keeping your plants healthy
- Removing a layer of soil around the base of plant stems trees and shrubs planted too deeply are more likely to be affected
- Removing as much of the infected plant, including the roots and soil, as possible. Dont leave stumps
- Removing plants growing around the affected plant, particularly in a hedge
- Digging the soil to root out and break up infected roots or rhizomorphs
- Avoiding planting anything back into the soil for six months to a year, to kill off the fungus
- Replanting with less susceptible woody plants
- Recording where youve found honey fungus, to map which areas of soil are affected
How Milk Removes Fungal Spores
Milk is another shocking product that gardeners use to get rid of powdery mildew on trees. Experts believe that something about the natural compounds in the milk help to combat disease.
To spray your trees with a milk solution, mix one-part milk with two or three parts water and spray the affected trees liberally. The watery milk also works well on melon, cucumber, and zucchini plants.
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Recommended Control Steps Of Verticillium Wilt
There is no chemical control for Verticillium Wilt, but there are several steps that can be taken to help control the spread of the disease, as well as to enhance a trees ability to control or even contain the disease. These include pruning, fertilizing and watering.
Prune and remove all dead wood. The pruning should be a few inches below the diseased area, so as to remove as many of the fungal concentrations as possible. When pruning do not remove branches that have recently wilted as they may reflush again in a few weeks or the following spring. When pruning be sure to properly sanitize the pruning tools after each cut.
Give the tree a very good fertilization with a slow release nitrogen blend. Apply the TreeHelp Annual Care Kit, as this treatment contains an appropriate fertilizer, as well as a mycorrhizal treatment and biostimulant to assist the tree in taking up and metabolizing moisture and nutrients.
Observe Proper Trees Maintenance
If you live around trees, it is vital to constantly drain the soil thoroughly. Also, get rid of decaying stems and leaves. There are preventative fungicides available to fight possible infestations and diseases.
Always be cognizant that surrounding trees, plants and shrubs are not affecting your tree. Ventilation is also very important. Endeavor to trim anything that hinders the flow of air, and be on the alert for vines that start to grow.
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On Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
It is much better to prevent fungal infection in a tree than to try to fix a problem in your tree that already exists. To prevent infection, ensure:
the tree is healthy and that it receives the proper amount of water and nourishment, providing extra water or fertilizer as necessary.
Make sure your soil drains properly for your tree species and avoid overwatering the tree.
Remove fallen leaves from your yard
Clean and sanitize garden tools between use on different plants, especially if the tools have come in contact with an infected plant
Use fungicides when necessary.
Are you wondering if your trees have a fungal infection? Or maybe you just want to learn more about keeping your trees healthy. Feel free to give us a call today to schedule that free tree inspection appointment.
Common Large Fungi That Grow On Trees
Chicken of the woods Grows on the trunks of oak, willow, yew, cherry and sweet chestnut in summer and fall. Young plates are edible.
Oak bracket A parasite of oaks, growing around the base of the trunk. Eventually the trunk can snap, bringing down the whole tree.
Birch polypore Usually grows on dead birches but can also infect live trees. When it does it usually kills them.
Honey fungus Infects the roots or trunks of most tree species and produces dense masses of mushrooms. Causes very aggressive rot and is considered one of the worst tree parasites. Can send out threads under the soil for several yards, and attack new trees. Edible when cooked, but raw ones are mildly toxic.
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Tree & Shrub Care With Gecko Green
Without proper care, trees and shrubs start to weaken. Finding the time and energy to monitor and maintain healthy trees can be challenging. Our tree and shrub care program for North Texas is thorough and comprehensive, with eight strategically timed visits a year.
Our professional teams are equipped with the experience and agronomical knowledge to keep your trees thriving year-round. Call Gecko Green today for a free quote!
How Is The White Fungus Caused
Cycad scale and rugose spiraling whitefly are the two non-native insects responsible for initiating the white fungus.
Cycad scale attacks infected trees that are not taken care of. It spreads throughout the plant faster than you think. Before you could notice its impact, youll find a colony of cycad scales on the palm tree.
On the other hand, Rugose spiraling chiefly attacks any palm tree. It starts marking its territory by feeding onto the juices of the tree and excreting honeydew on the leaves.
The sugary excrete is the root cause of the trouble as it attracts sooty mold fungi. This fungus loves to feed on the honeydew thats on the leaves. Thus, it spoils the plant.
Though Rugose spiraling whitefly doesnt kill the plant entirely like the Cycad Scale, it can cause damage by stressing the plant. It blocks the sunlight as it builds its territory on the leaves.
Now we are ready to talk about the focus point. We are sure you want to get to this part soon.
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Use A Fungicide Designed For Use On Trees And Shrubs
A good fungicide can do wonders on tree fungus. Just make sure it is designed for use in the landscape, on trees and shrubs.
The product we like is Natria Fungicide which seems to work on nearly any kind of outdoor fungus. Apple tree rust, regular leaf fungus, even lawn fungus. We also know from personal experience that it is quite effective on powdery mildew, the annoying affliction that likes to target popular magnolia trees.
It comes in either concentrate or an easy spray bottle. Just make sure you apply it when it is cool on a not-so-hot day or in the evening. Applying during a very hot and sunny day could cause it to burn the plant or tree it is being applied to. You also need to really saturate the tree bark, in order for it to work correctly.
Recommended Steps To Control Fusarium Blight And Patch On Lawns
Once the extreme symptoms of Fusarrium Blight become visible on a lawn, it is not possible to control the disease during the current growing season. To prevent the reoccurrence of the disease the following season, avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers and the following spring, before the signs of the disease re-emerge, spray the grass with Monterey Fungi Fighter. Repeat the spraying 2 additional times every 14 to 21 days.
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Recommended Control Of Conk
If the degree of wood root is limited, it is important to keep the tree well fertilized and watered so as to boost its own ability to resist the spread of the fungus. Using the TreeHelp Annual Care Kit is recommended to increase the trees vitality. The conk can also be removed from the tree and the area sprayed withAgri-Fos Systemic Fungicide to help reduce the level of fungal infection in the area. The fungicide should be reapplied every 2 to 3 weeks for a duration of about 3 months. It is also a good idea to spray the trunks of trees in the area to prevent air-borne transfer of the conk fungal spores from one tree to another.
How To Identify And Treat White Fungus On Tree Bark
A fungal infection isnt unheard of in the plant world. Infected trees often get covered in a white material that coats the branches and plant leaves. Plant fungus such as powdery mildew is one of the most common forms.
Powdery mildew is a white or silvery-colored fungus that sits on the top and bottom of leaves. There are many different forms of powdery mildew fungus, yet they all look similar.
Infected plants are usually targeted because the fungus type is host-specific. Powdery mildew tends to thrive in crowded, shady locations with poor air circulation. This is one of the reasons for learning how to get rid of powdery mildew on trees. It looks a bit like powdery mildew on houseplants and the treatment options are similar.
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Recommended Control Of Rust
Since Rust generally appears late in the season, a good sanitation program, which includes raking and disposing of all leaves after they drop in the fall, is usually adequate to prevent re-infection the following year. If additional control is required, or as a proactive preventative treatment, during spring bud break spray the tree with Liquid Copper Fungicide. Repeat the spray twice more every 14 to 20 days. In more serious cases of rust disease or if the disease re-appears over serval years apply Monterey Fungi Fighter early in the spring shortly after bud break and again mid-season or at first signs of symptoms.
What Is Cedar Apple Rust
Cedar Apple Rust is a fungal infection that could harm your apple trees if left untreated. According to the University of Wisconsin, several fungi in the genus Gymnosporangiumcause Cedar Apple Rust.As its name implies,the disease needs two host plants to complete its life cycle: cedars and apple trees. The fungus lives part of its two-year life cycle on cedar trees, most commonly the Eastern Red Cedar. Then, infected cedars release spores into the air that travel to the buds and leaves of nearby apple trees. The fungus spends the second part of its life on apple trees.
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Beware Of Excessive Water
An easy technique to prevent tree fungus is to simply go easy on the water. This is particularly true if rain is prevalent in your place. Overwater trees and roots will rot, inviting fungi to start inside the rotting roots.
The moment the fungus begins to colonize, it will start making their up into the tree. At that point, that is when the fungi become visible. The optimal way to hydrate a tree is to treat it to a generous watering once a week.
Water every day will result in tree roots constantly wet, the perfect conditions for fungus. Besides newly planted trees that need water more, established trees will require much less.
Never Wet The Leaves While Watering The Plant
Its a fundamental gardening rule, but its worth mentioning it. Always use a hose to water the base of your plant. Dont put water on the plant leaves they need to stay dry. The roots will do the job of providing sufficient water.
Also, avoid sprinkling water on the leaves as it opens the door for moisture and insects.
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Options For Managing Fungi
It is difficult if not impossible to save a tree that has been attacked by fungi. Prevention is the key as a healthy tree is less likely to become a host for the fungi. The methods for keeping a tree healthy include watering during drought periods and following a maintenance fertilization schedule. Fungicides can be applied to control some fungi diseases by inhibiting the fungi growth when applied before it takes hold.
Proper pruning of young trees will promote a strong structure. Cutting large limbs from older trees will create large wounds which are susceptible to the growth of fungi. That said, dead or diseased limbs should be cut off. Tree Pruning, if necessary, should be done by a professional who can utilize a pruning technique that will enable the wound to close properly.
Fungal management is a science. The tree experts at Tree Images have the knowledge and the experience to examine your trees and determine if any are at risk from a fungus attack of any kind. We also have a tree maintenance plan to protect your trees from these and other conditions that can damage or kill your trees.
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How To Treat Plant Fungus With Baking Soda
As far as plant diseases go, there are none more annoying, frustrating, and hair-pulling than fungus issues. Whether youre growing microgreens, houseplants, or veggies, plant fungus like powdery mildew can absolutely ruin your plants.
Heres an example of a classic type of plant fungus, powdery mildew:
Heres a simple rule to detect plant fungus: If your plant has started showing signs of unusual spotting or has growth on it that is a different color than the plant, it probably has some kind of fungus.
There are a variety of ways to treat fungal problems, fungicides being one of the most common. But, harsh sprays that contain chemicals are sometimes not the ideal way to treat plant problems, especially if theyre inside your home.
If you dont want to use fungicides, you should consider this simple remedy: baking soda.
Listen to this post on the Epic Gardening Podcast
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How To Identify Treat And Prevent Common Apple Diseases
If youve ever seen apple trees growing in the wild, you may already know they are privy to a wide range of diseases. But what about homegrown apples?
An apple enjoyed fresh off the tree is delectable, but you may have to work hard for your shiny piece of fruit.
Many different types of fungi and some varieties of bacteria can cause infections in a home garden.
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Your best bet to prevent the onset of disease is to plant varieties that are resistant to the major pathogens in your area.
Of course, this advice wont do much good if you already have an apple tree, or if symptoms are actually due to a physiological problem like a nutrient deficiency rather than an infectious ailment.
In this guide, well cover the most common apple diseases, how to identify them, and what action to take.
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Root And Butt Rott Diseases
These diseases infect the roots causing decay and death of the roots. Root and Butt rot diseases cause decay of tree trunks affecting the structural integrity of the tree causing total failure without advanced warning. These diseases can develop for years without us being aware of it, in the form of mushrooms or bracket fruiting bodies. Seeing, say, shelf fruiting bodies at a trees base may indicate that the disease has already caused a significant amount of rot in the base of the tree or in its roots.
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Recommend Steps To Control Anthracnose
Promote the overall health of the tree with regular proper fertilizing, using the TreeHelp Annual Care Kit. If a tree has been infected spray it with the Fruit Tree, Vegetable & Ornamental Fungicide, 1 Pint Concentrate. Repeat as necessary. To reduce or prevent reoccurrence the following year, in the fall, spray the tree and surrounding area with the Fruit Tree, Vegetable & Ornamental Fungicide, 1 Pint Concentrate to reduce the number of over-wintering spores. Also be sure to remove and destroy any fallen leaves.
Recommended Steps To Control Anthracnose In The Trees Vascular System
When a trees vascular system is infected with Anthracnose, immediate steps need to be taken to arrest the disease spread. In the early spring, at the time of bud break, spray the tree with Fruit Tree, Vegetable & Ornamental Fungicide, 1 Pint Concentrate. Continue spraying the tree with the fungicide every week until the leaves are fully developed. Once the leaves are fully developed spray the tree every 3 to 4 weeks until the end of the season. To enhance the effectiveness of the Fruit Tree, Vegetable and Ornamental Fungicide, mix the spray with Natures Own Helper spray additive.
If the tree is too tall to spray, treat with the Agri-Fos with Pentra-Bark.
In addition to treating the tree with the appropriate fungicide, prune and destroy dead and severely diseased branches. Be sure to prune during dry weather and sanitize the pruning tools after each cut with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water.
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