Category Ask Texas Tree Surgeons

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!

My cedar tree has bagworms. Can you treat for that?

Bagworms are a common pest in North Texas, especially on cedars, junipers, cypresses, and other evergreens, although they can attack broad-leaf trees (like oaks, maples, and elms) as well. While they are common, they may not always be noticeable, especially on evergreens, as they use material from the trees they infest to camouflage their casings. Like other insects, bagworms have a year-long life cycle, and control measures depend on the growth stage of the pest.

What Are Bagworms?

• Bagworm is the common name for several different species of insect which are actually a type of moth (order Lepidoptera, family Psychidae).
• The bagworm caterpillars are very small (about 1/25 of an inch long), and spin silk thread which they use to attach themselves to plants and to weave into their bags.
  • Unlike a typical cocoon, the bagworm’s casing functions as a moveable shelter, with the caterpillars exiting to find food and climb up the plant.
• Once the caterpillar has matured, it undergoes a metamorphosis period before emerging as an adult.
  • Male bagworms resemble small moths while the females are flightless.
• Male bagworm moths seek out females during mating season, and the female uses her bag to lay eggs.
  • The exact times of caterpillar and adult emergence varies from species to species and is dependent upon the weather.

Can You Treat For Bagworms?

While bagworms are not prevalent every year, once they have infested a tree, they will continue to live there unless controlled.

• The simplest control method is to remove the bags.
  • They can be pulled off by hand or sprayed off with high-powered water.
  • It it important to dispose of the bags or destroy them, and not just leave them lying on the ground, as the eggs they contain can hatch and re-infest the tree.
• Insecticide sprays can be used to control bagworms, but are most effective when the caterpillars are small, and can be completely ineffective if the bagworms close their bags, as they do to molt or over the winter.
  • Systemic insecticides may be used in some cases as a preventative measure. Consult a certified arborist to see if this may be a good option for you.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! Bagworms are a widespread nuisance and, while one or two may not harm a mature tree, can cause large-scale defoliation if left unchecked. It is a good idea to remove any bags that you see, whenever you see them. If you have bagworms, and want to see if there might be a chemical treatment option, contact us to set up a visit from a certified arborist. We offer full-service plant health care, including fertilization to help trees stressed by bagworms recover. We look forward to hearing from you!

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!

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!

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.

Wondering what those trees with flowers are in your area? Although they blend in to our urban forest the rest of the year, one variety of tree pops with white blossoms in the spring.

Ornamental Pear
(Bradford/Aristocrat pear)

• Just like their vivid fall color, the ornamental pear’s white blossoms in the spring provide a beautiful contrast to the dull brown of other trees.
  • The most common ornamental pear in North Texas is the Bradford cultivar of the Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), but other common varieties include the Aristocrat and Autumn Blaze.
  • The different cultivars exhibit different fall colors, but all have the same white blossoms in the spring.

• However, while the Bradford pear and related varieties may bring some variety to your yard, they are not the best choice for ornamental color.
• Not native to Texas, Bradford pears are not long-lived, and generally only last for about 20-25 years.
  • As they age, Bradford pears become prone to breaking, due to the natural instability of their branch joints.
  • It is not uncommon to see whole mature Bradford pears split.
• Additionally, Bradford pears are susceptible to fireblight, a bacterial disease that can only be managed, not cured.
• If you are looking to add some spring or fall color to your landscape, consider our recommendations.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, are we are glad to see some spring blossoms in North Texas! If you have questions about how to care for your Bradford pears or any other trees, let us know!