Category Tree Health Care

Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong With My Oak Trees?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

The leaves on our oak trees are looking diseased, with bumps all over them. Is this oak wilt?

Oaks are the most common trees in our North Texas urban forest, and they can suffer from many different health issues. If your oak is showing misshapen leaves with bright green bulges on them, it is most likely a fungal disease that may look bad, but is not usually harmful to the overall health of the tree.

Oak Leaf Blister 

  • Oak leaf blister is caused by the fungus Taphrina caerulescens, which enters the new leaf buds during cool and moist spring weather.
  • The fungus causes the young leaves to develop blister-like bumps on their surfaces, with coloration ranging from light green to brown.
    • In more severe cases, the leaves may fall off altogether.
    • The fungus does not affect mature leaves, only new growth.
  • Like other fungal diseases, oak leaf blister is more prevalent during periods of cooler weather with increased rainfall in the spring, and cannot survive the summer heat.

Does Oak Leaf Blister Kill the Tree?

Oak leaf blister and the T. caerulescens fungus do not pose a serious risk to the health of affected trees.

Can Oak Leaf Blister Be Treated?

  • The spores which carry the oak leaf blister fungus are present on the bud sites over the winter, and once the tree begins showing infected leaves, chemical treatment is not effective.
    • It is possible to apply a preventative fungicide, but this must be done before bud break and while the young leaves are maturing.
  • If you have a tree with oak leaf blister, the best course of action is to clean up fallen infected leaves and dispose of them in plastic bags.
    • Do not place leaves in compost, as this may encourage further fungal growth.
  • Keeping a tree healthy with proper mulching and fertilization, as well as maintaining soil drainage, will help it resist future health issues.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! While oak leaf blister can be unsightly, it is mostly harmless and is not a serious concern to the health of the tree. Of course, there are many oak health issues that can cause long-term damage and tree death. Oak wilt is a major concern. Trimming oaks should be avoided between February and July if possible, and proper precautions taken if trimming cannot be postponed. Oak decline is also a problem, especially in areas where many of the trees were planted around the same time, and are reaching the end of their lifespan. If you have any questions about the health of your oaks, or any other tree care issues, let us know!

Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong With My Fruit Tree?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

Why is it that my peach trees get loaded with peaches every year, but the peaches only get so big (about the size of a golf ball) and stay that way till they fall off? Can I do anything to help them grow better?

Growing fruit trees in North Texas can be a tricky undertaking. While we don’t have the well-suited conditions of other regions, there are some steps that fruit tree owners can take to help their trees produce the best fruit.

For fruit production, pruning is key

If you have a stone fruit (peach, plum, etc.) tree that is already established and producing fruit, proper pruning can be a big help in managing fruit production.

  • Fruit trees naturally produce more fruit than can be sustained, and need a helping hand.
  • One way to help fruit mature fully is to remove a portion of the fruits after they begin to grow.
    • For best results, remove the fruit by hand about four weeks after blooming.
    • Leave only one fruit every six to eight inches along a branch.
  • As the fruit matures, it is important to manage pests and diseases that can prevent proper growth.
    • Remove any dead or diseased wood or fruit as soon as it appears.
    • Consider fertilizer or pesticide application, and consult a certified arborist for good product recommendations.

Planning ahead for best fruit

Of course, some types of fruit trees are better-suited to our North Texas climate and soil.

  • If you are looking to plant a peach tree, or another type of stone fruit, consult this guide from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program.
  • Once you have picked a tree, be sure to plant during the winter dormant season and to prepare the planting site properly.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! There may not be many fruit trees in North Texas, but we love helping our community take care of what we have. We are always happy to offer suggestions and guidance in the tree selection and planting process. We offer comprehensive plant health care programs to help control diseases and pests, including organic options. If you have any questions about your fruit trees or any other trees, let us know!

Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: My Tree is Leaning; Should I Be Worried?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

We have a tree in the back yard that is leaning. Is there anything we can do to fix it?

Whether you just moved into a new house and noticed one of the trees is leaning, or a tree has suddenly developed a lean, there is one important difference to be aware of: quickly-developed leans and over-time leans.

Leaning Trees: Fast vs. Slow

 The main factor that determines whether a tree that leans is a problem or not is how quickly the lean developed:

  • Trees that have developed a lean over time usually are not a high risk, and cannot be straightened or corrected.
    • Trees, like other plants, are naturally drawn to the sun and away from other trees and structures. (This phenomenon is called “phototropism.”)
    • If a tree faces competition for sunlight, it will begin to lean away from its competitors and towards a clear view of the sun.
      • As the tree leans, its roots grow out in the opposite direction from the lean to anchor the tree.
    • Once the tree has become established with its lean, it will continue to grow that way.
      • In some cases, a tree that was leaning can begin to send new growth vertically upward again, once the competition for sunlight is removed, but the leaning parts will remain.
  • Trees that develop a lean quickly can be an increased fall risk.
    • Whether the tree is large or small, developing a lean quickly usually means one thing: root system instability.
      • A tell-tale sign of a root issue causing a lean is raised ground around the tree or disturbance to nearby structures or fences.
    • High-limestone and shallow soils, like we have in much of North Texas, can be a contributing factor to shallow roots which can lead to instability.
      • Additionally, periods of drought and flooding cause shifts in the soil, further hampering proper root formation.
    • Root rot, often caused by fungus, can cause widespread root system death, leading to major structural instability.
    • If there has been construction around the tree and roots have been cut, or the tree suffered storm damage, a lean can be a sign of an imminent fall.

What Can I do About a Leaning Tree?

 If the tree has grown into a lean over time, there is little that can be done. Once the tree is established and stable in its leaning orientation, trying to straighten it can destabilize the structure and put the tree at risk of falling.

For a sudden lean, however, it is important to act quickly. Whatever the cause of the lean, it must be addressed before it becomes worse and the tree falls. In some small trees, a sudden lean can be corrected, allowing the tree to grow new stabilizing roots. In large trees however, complete removal is often the only safe way to deal with a sudden lean. If the tree is leaning from storm or other damage, especially when roots have been cut, rope off the area under the tree and contact a certified arborist immediately — the tree could fall at any time.

 At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! If you notice that one of your trees in leaning, we are always happy to come out an see what may be causing the lean and whether it needs to be addressed. If you are aware of a tree that has developed a sudden lean, contact us today so that one of our ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified arborists can properly evaluate the danger of the situation and provide a solution.

Why Is My Tree Losing Its Leaves in Spring? [UPDATED]

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Resources, Tree Health Care

UPDATE: Was your Live Oak damaged by frost and freezing temperatures? Read our post here!

Why is my live oak looking sick and dropping leaves?

Falling leaves, just like color changes, have become a hallmark of Autumn, but not all trees drop their leaves in the Fall. In North Texas, we have a lot of live oaks, which is one particular exception to the “trees just lose leaves in Fall” rule. Are your Texas live oaks looking brown or sick and dropping leaves? It’s probably just a seasonal leaf exchange.

Live Oaks Have a Leaf Exchange in Spring

  • For many trees, dropping leaves is a way of preparing to go dormant during the cold winter months.
    • Live oaks, however, can lose leaves throughout the year and generally stay green during the winter. The major live oak leaf drop takes place in the Spring.
  • When the weather warms up, and the trees move out of winter dormancy, live oaks begin to develop new leaf buds.
    • Before the new leaves can grow, however, live oaks have to drop the old leaves.
    • As the old leaves die, they turn brown and fall, preparing for the new leaves to bud out.
  • If, however, the fallen leaves have yellow spots or yellow veins, there may be something else causing the live oaks stress.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! If you’re new to the area, or just haven’t noticed before, seeing otherwise healthy live oaks turn brown and drop their leaves in the Spring can be a cause for concern, but don’t worry! Live oak leaf exchange in the Spring is part of the healthy life cycle of the trees, and is a sign that your live oaks are ready for new growth as the weather warms up. As always, if you have any questions about live oaks or any other trees, let us know!

Why Are My Oak Trees Turning Brown?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

As the summer heat drags on, we start to get calls about trees “looking bad.” Recently, for example, we have been seeing general decline of trees, especially oak trees, in the Plano area. In a densely-populated suburban area like Plano, there are many potential causes for trees showing signs of stress, displaying yellowing or browning leaves, or dropping limbs. While some issues may be symptoms of a disease, much of the oak decline we are seeing is, unfortunately, an inevitable result of the environment the trees live in.

Plano, Texas’ Urban Forest

Plano, Texas, is a great example of a community that loves its trees and values the beauty an urban forest can bring. As the city has matured, so have its trees, and many of them are now magnificent. However, when the community was planned and the trees were planted, developers depended heavily on different species of oaks: live oaks, red (Shumard) oaks, post oaks, and others. While these oaks are hardy, native Texas trees, any environment that is heavily populated by one species is susceptible to certain risks. The proliferation of oak wilt in North Texas is exacerbated by the heavy concentration of oaks in the area. Even without an outside stressor like the oak wilt fungus, any monoculture will slowly start to decline as competition for resources affects all members of a species, without the diversity necessary to replenish what was used.

The causes of oak decline in Plano run deep into the soil and deep into the history of the community. Before Collin County developed into the elegant mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas that it is today, most of the land was used for farming and ranching. Agricultural land becomes exhausted of its nutrients after long periods of use. Moving from heavy agricultural use directly into construction doesn’t give the land time to recover. Heavy construction activity also leads to soil compaction, and if mixed fill is used, precious soil space is taken up by rocks, cement, and other inorganic material. Decades of growth and the spread of structures and concrete have further challenged the ability of Plano soils to renew themselves. Changing weather patterns in the last several years, periods of drought followed by flooding, have stressed the soil and plants even more. As turf grass has proliferated, much of the natural process that would introduce nutrients to the soil through decaying organic matter has been interrupted.

What Can I Do About Oak Decline?

While oak decline is an inevitability for many Plano oaks, the situation is not completely hopeless; there is much that tree owners can do to help restore their trees’ vitality:

  • Proper Mulching
  • Proper Watering
  • Reducing Competition
    • Turf grass, ground cover, concrete, and over planting of trees can all contribute to nutrient competition.

However, there are some issues that may be beyond remedy:

  • Poor Tree Stock
    • If the tree was sourced from a tree farm with weak stock, or with trees that had been exposed to pathogens before, it may have been at a disadvantage from the start. A plant health care program may be able to ameliorate some issues, but not all.
  • Improper Planting
    • Planting issues can be corrected if the tree has not been in the ground more than a few years. The tree can possibly be re-planted, or root zone excavation can be performed to identify other root stability issues, such as girdling roots. A certified arborist can determine if any corrective efforts are possible for your particular tree.

Contacting a certified arborist to assess your trees is necessary to properly identify oak decline and address the underlying issues, not just the symptoms. Insect activity may need more involved care than just spraying a surface insecticide. Browning or yellowing leaves may be a sign of many issues: fungal root infection, insect activity, or herbicidal poisoning, and don’t simply mean that you need to water more. A certified arborist is able to evaluate the tree and its surroundings as a whole, not simply one component. An effective tree health care program involves many components: care modification, fertilization, soil management, proper trimming, pesticidal application. To preserve the value of an urban forest like Plano’s, certified arborists are key.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees, and we love our customers, in Plano and all over North Texas. If you live in Plano, and want more information about oak decline and what may be affecting your trees, let us know! If you’re not in Plano, don’t worry! We are happy to come and take a look at your trees to evaluate their health and give you the information necessary to keep them thriving for years. As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns about trees!

Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What Are the Bumps on My Pecan Leaves?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

As we move into summer, there are several tree health issues that can present themselves. One of the common questions we get around this time is about bumps on pecan leaves. The bumps are the result of insect activity that may or may not affect the pecan fruits themselves. Unfortunately, once the bumps appear, there is no effective control for the pests. Still, knowing what is afflicting the tree means you can make preparations for treatment next year.

Pecan Phylloxera

The insect that causes the bumps to appear on pecan leaves is called pecan phylloxera (Phylloxera devastatrix). Pecan phylloxera is a small, aphid-like insect that feeds on the shoots, leaves, and buds of the pecan tree. There are two main types of pecan phylloxera: one that affects leaves only, and one that affects leaves and nuts. The leaf phylloxera can cause defoliation but generally do no greater harm to the tree. The other kind, however, can cause severe leaf drop and inedible fruits. As both kinds of phylloxera cause leaf bumps, called “galls,” it can be hard to tell which one is affecting your pecans. However, if you have a lot of leaves falling, there is a good chance that it is the more invasive phylloxera.

No matter what particular kind of pecan phylloxera is present, the insects follow a similar life cycle. In the summer, eggs are laid in the bark of the pecan tree. The eggs hatch in the spring and the young insects move to the shoots and buds, where they begin to feed, forming galls on the new leaves for protection. Once the phylloxera have matured, they emerge from the galls to mate and lay eggs for the next year.

Treatment for Pecan Phylloxera

Because of their life cycle, the only effective time to treat for pecan phylloxera is in the spring, just as the leaves are budding. Applying insecticide at bud break can prevent the phylloxera from becoming established in the new leaves. Once the galls have formed, the insects are protected from pesticides, and cannot be effectively treated.

Pecan phylloxera moves slowly and may not affect every tree in an area every year. Variations in weather and tree growth can greatly affect the ability of the insects to survive. Still, if you have bumps on your pecan leaves, it is best to plan for insecticidal treatment for pecan phylloxera the following spring.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! We know it can be frustrating to find out about a problem too late to do anything about it. Hopefully, learning about pecan phylloxera now will help you be prepared for treatment in the spring. If you have questions about bumps on your pecan leaves, let us know, and a certified arborist can confirm what is affecting your tree and what you can do about it!