Common Tree Diseases in Fort Worth and How To Treat Them

There are beautiful trees throughout Fort Worth and North Texas, and like all trees, they’re susceptible to certain diseases. Knowing about the common diseases and fungi found in Fort Worth trees can help homeowners notice the signs early and call the experts at TreeNewal to treat and manage the problem. Here are some common tree diseases in Fort Worth, their symptoms, and ways to treat them.

Hypoxylon Canker

Image via Unsplash by Kyle Glenn

Hypoxylon canker is a fungus that commonly affects oak, elm, sycamore, and other hardwood trees in the Fort Worth area. In Texas, this deadly fungus often appears during periods of prolonged drought when trees become weaker. Early signs of hypoxylon canker include dry, leafless, or dying branches. In later stages of the disease, homeowners usually notice peeling bark on tree trunks and branches. As the bark peels, dark-colored spores may become visible. Over time, those areas will start to look blackened or burned.

Preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of hypoxylon canker in trees. During dry weather and drought, homeowners can provide their hardwoods with water to prevent infection. Since there’s no cure for hypoxylon canker, it’s imperative to have an experienced arborist remove an infected tree before it spreads the disease.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that commonly affects fruit trees, especially pear and apple trees. Signs of fire blight include blackened blooms and foliage. This discoloration usually occurs very quickly. Some blackened branches may start to form cankers, often accompanied by a brown, sticky liquid. Bent or shriveled twigs can be another sign of fire blight.

Like hypoxylon canker, fire blight has no known cure. However, it’s not always deadly if homeowners catch the disease early. An arborist might be able to trim or remove the infected branches to stop the spread of the disease.

Oak Wilt

Homeowners with oak trees should be aware of oak wilt, a common disease among these trees in Fort Worth. Once present in oak trees, the disease can spread to other trees through underground root systems or insects. Signs of oak wilt include dry brown leaves and foliage. The infected tree may also start to drop leaves out of season. Since the symptoms of oak wilt can be similar to other diseases, it’s essential to have an experienced arborist inspect the tree to diagnose the condition.

As oak wilt is highly contagious, it’s important to take quick action to prevent the disease from spreading. Professional tree maintenance companies, such as TreeNewal, use specialized equipment to remove the tree and prevent the root grafts from carrying the disease to other trees.

Call TreeNewal for Tree Disease Treatment and Management

Have you noticed signs of tree disease in your backyard? We’re here to help. TreeNewal provides comprehensive disease management services to diagnose and treat infected trees. Our services include maintenance, pruning, technical treatments, and removal, if necessary. Send us a message online or call us at 817-809-3263 for more information. We want to help keep your trees healthy, strong, and flourishing for years to come.