Surjit Singh Flora
Trees are organisms that, like all other living things, eventually die. Trees can die for a variety of reasons. Disease is one of the most common causes of tree mortality. Various pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, can infect trees, weakening their immune system and ultimately causing their death. Apart from this, insects and animals can also damage trees and cause their deaths.
Environmental stress is another significant cause of tree death. Trees are susceptible to extreme weather conditions, such as drought, floods, and high winds, which can cause physical damage and undermine their overall health. Low sunlight, nutrient deficiency, and soil thinning can all contribute to tree decline and death. In addition, pollution, such as air and water pollution, can adversely affect the health of trees and cause their premature death.
Also, the trunk and live branches of a tree grow by adding a new layer of wood every year. As it grows larger, it becomes more demanding in terms of resources such as light, water, and minerals, which are essential for its survival. When resources become limited, the tree reaches a point where it can no longer sustain its growing biomass and starts shedding branches. Organisms can cause the decay of dead branches, which, if they reach the trunk, can ultimately lead to the collapse and demise of the entire tree. Trees have the remarkable ability to isolate dead wood and halt the progress of decomposers, although this process requires energy. As the amount of dead wood increases, the tree will eventually become overwhelmed by the task of defending its wood from attack.
Tree diseases commonly receive treatment with fungicides. Fungicides are substances designed to eliminate fungi. There is a wide variety of fungicides available, offered in liquid and powder forms. There are two methods for applying fungicides to trees: directly on the leaves, or on the soil surrounding the tree.
You can use antibiotics as an alternative treatment for tree diseases. Antibiotics are substances that effectively eliminate bacteria. You can apply antibiotics in liquid or powder form to the tree’s leaves or the surrounding soil.
Homeowners can find a variety of effective tree disease treatment products. These products are typically available in spray form and are effective for treating diseases like anthracnose, leaf spot, and rust.
Anthracnose is a disease that is prevalent among deciduous trees, particularly oak, ash, and sycamore trees notably. Additionally, it has an effect on bushes like privet. Lesions that are black and sunken appear on the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, which is an ugly condition.
Apple scabbed
A disease known as apple scab is a widespread condition that affects apple trees, crab apple trees, mountain ash trees, and pear trees. The fungus that causes this condition is responsible for infecting the leaves and fruit, rendering the latter unfit for human consumption. First appearing as olive green, leaf dots eventually transform into a dark brown or even black color. Infected fruit has a similar transformation in terms of color, ultimately becoming brown, corky, and misshapen.
Cancers of the Canker
There are many different canker diseases that can harm trees, such as Cystospore canker, which may impact pine, poplar, spruce, and willow trees. The development of canker diseases occurs when a bacterial or fungal infection penetrates the bark or sapwood of a tree via a wound. The tree’s vascular system will eventually get obstructed, which will prevent nutrients from flowing through it. The death of branches may occur as a result of this obstruction, depending on the location of the canker. Should it get entangled around the trunk, the whole tree may perish.
Rust of Cedar and Apple
The cedar-apple rust is a kind of fungus that, as its name suggests, needs two hosts in order to complete its life cycle. These hosts include the apple and crab apple (Malus spp.) as well as the cedar (Juniperus spp….). Hawthorn trees get an infection from a similar fungus known as cedar-hawthorn rust. Needle Blight Caused by Dahlstrom.
One of the symptoms of this disease is that the ends of pine needles get brown. The whole needle eventually turns brown and slips off in a gradual manner. Dahlstrom needle blight is a potentially lethal disease that seems to affect Ponderosa pine and Austrian pine the most often. It is important to take preventative steps such as mulching trees and watering them at the base to prevent the foliage from becoming wet. Additionally, it is important to avoid crowding trees in order to provide enough air circulation. An other option is to employ a fungicide.
Spot In Black
This condition is brought on by a fungus that mostly affects the foliage and manifests itself on the leaves inside the form of black spots or patches. It is inevitable that the leaves will eventually turn yellow, get shriveled, and fall off.
The treatment
Taking the affected leaves off the tree is necessary in order to stop the illness from spreading further. An application of a fungicide should be made to the healthy foliage that is still present. Due to the fact that water stimulates the spores to migrate to other sections of the tree, the tree should not be watered until all of the leaves that are afflicted have been pruned off.
Behind The Leaf
The fungus that causes this illness is quite similar to the fungus that causes black spots, and it manifests itself as spots that are white, gray, brown, or black on the leaves or on the branches and twigs of the plant. As the condition advances, the patches will initially be white, but as time goes on, they will turn darker. After some time, lesions appear, and the leaves eventually wither and end up dying.
The treatment
As soon as possible, it is necessary to remove all of the damaged components of the plant, including the leaves, fruits, and branches. It is necessary to carry out the removal of any debris that may be present in the soil. A fungicide is then applied on the healthy foliage after it has been inspected.
The Mould Or The Mildew
Mildew is a kind of fungus that thrives in wet conditions, as well as in places where there is neither enough sunshine nor adequate ventilation. The Powdery Mildew describes it as a white powdery material, whereas the Black Sooty Mould describes it as a black substance. Both of these names refer to the same thing.
An infestation of aphids or scale insects is another potential driver of black sooty mould. The leaves, stems, or branches of the tree are the places where it may be found. It is possible for the symptoms to include twisted growth, discoloration, lack of vitality, and even dieback.
Finally, human activities can also contribute to the death of trees. Deforestation, urban development, and pollution from industrial activities can all contribute to deforestation and cause tree deaths. Improper planting and care practices, such as overwatering, hardening the soil, and using harmful chemicals, can damage trees and lead to their death. To prevent premature tree death, it is critical to keep these reasons in mind and take appropriate measures to protect and conserve our precious natural resources.
When you’re uncertain about the condition of your tree, it’s advisable to seek guidance from a professional arborist. They have extensive knowledge and experience in tree care and treatment, enabling them to provide valuable guidance on the most suitable approach for your tree.
(The writer is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton)