Tree Insect & Disease Treatment Services in Plano & Dallas, TX

Losing a tree you loved to disease is frustrating, especially if you could have saved it. The truth is most tree problems caused by disease or insects can be avoided or remedied. The best way to keep your trees disease-free is by practicing disease prevention. Over-watering is one of the most common ways trees get sick. Sometimes over watering is caused by poor drainage you have little control over. When your tree's roots start rotting, the door to insects and other diseases open. We can diagnose your tree's issue, and advise on the best way to get it healthy and thriving again.
 

Common Texas Tree Diseases

Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a fungus that attacks the lower trunk and roots of many deciduous trees and some conifers. In advanced stages, it can damage the structural integrity of the host tree and leave it in a condition where it may be knocked over by strong winds. Maples, oaks, and honey locusts are most susceptible to Ganoderma. Trees affected may show yellowing, wilting, or undersized leaves and dead branches. The first visible sign of infection is often the formation of fruiting bodies on the lower trunk and exposed root area.

Slime Flux

Also known as bacterial slime or bacterial wetwood, Slim Flux, is a bacterial disease primarily found in elm, cottonwood, poplar, boxelder, ash, aspen, and oak trees. Slime Flux originates from bark wounds caused by pruning, insects, poor branch angles, and natural cracks or splits. Sap oozes from the wound and bacteria infects the sap causing it to darken and stain the bark and eventually take on a foamy appearance and give off an unpleasant odor. The fermented sap can attract insects like flies, ants, and maggots.

Oak Wilt

Oak Wilt is a fungus that moves from tree to tree either underground through root systems or above-ground through insects. Typically Oak Wilt will move from an infected tree to a nearby healthy tree through root systems in a process called local spread. When one tree in a group becomes infected and dies, the fungus spreads onto the next tree in the interconnected root systems. Have a good mix of different types of trees can mitigate Oak Wilt from spreading. Oak Wilt can be treated with trunk injections of a fungicide called Propizol.
 

Common Central Texas Tree Pests

• Stipplers – These laced bugs or spider mites feed on Sycamore, Hackberry, Oak, and Walnut trees. Symptoms of infestation include stippled, bronzed, or bleached leaves.
• Suckers – Small insects like aphids and scales feed on Hackberry, Pecan, Elm, and a variety of other trees. Ladybugs are natural predators.
• Chewers – Common chewers include bagworms, tent caterpillars, Fall webworms, and Juniper budworms. They feed on Junipers, Arborvitae, Cypress, Oak, and other trees. Look for missing leaf tissues and skeletonized leaves.
• Gall Makers – Oak Apple Gall and Hackberry Nipple Gall can be identified by careful attention. Look for abnormal bumps or balls on leaves or twigs.
• Borers – Common borers include the Cottonwood Borer, Redheaded Ash Borer, Gum Bumelia Borer, and Emerald Ash Borer. Look for small holes in the tree trunk and sawdust. Large infestations can cause trees to break at the base.
   

Need Tree Disease or Tree Insect Treatment in the Plano or Dallas area?

A Perfect Tree has experience diagnosing and treating all types of tree diseases and tree insect infestations in Central Texas. In many cases, we can stop the disease in its tracks and bring your tree back to its prior vigorous condition. If your tree is too damaged for treatment, we can identify this and remove the tree before it falls and causes property damage or injury.

Schedule a consultation if you need more information about what is wrong with your tree(s). Some ailments can be treated by you, and a lot of preventative measures can be addressed as well.