The emerald ash borer (EAB), is an exotic insect pest from Asia. The flattened larval stage feeds below the bark and cuts off the living, water and nutrient conducting vessels causing tree death. Adults are small elongated oval beetles that are metallic green in color. This insect colonizes the top of ash trees first, then moves down the tree. Ash trees lack a way to defend against these pests. Unless protected with insecticides, they will be killed when they become infested. Treatments are extremely effective, and are much less than the cost of removal. Plus as added benefits, you keep your mature tree, all the energy savings, property value and aesthetics it provides to your home. Our treatments have one of the industries only money back guarantees. If you have an Ash tree, an Emerald Ash Borer protection plan is the next step in preserving your valued property. Contact us to with any questions, or to get your plan started.
Bur Oak Blight
Bur oak blight, often referred to as BOB, is a plant disease caused by the fungus Tubakia iowensis. The BOB fungus survives the winter on infected leaves that remain attached within the tree canopy. In wet spring weather, the fungus releases spores that start infections on new leaves. Although the infections occur in spring, the most obvious symptoms do not appear until the end of July or early August. Initially, dark discolored lines can be seen forming along major leaf veins. As the disease progresses the discoloration expands into brown wedge shaped areas. Leaves may remain partially brown and green or may turn completely brown and withered. When autumn leaf drop occurs, many leaves infected with bur oak blight remain attached to the tree. Bur oak blight is a slow moving disease. This slow progression of disease eventually stresses the tree and allows secondary pests and pathogens, like two lined chestnut borer to infect and further injure the tree. The combination of these infections can lead to tree decline and death. Once bur oak blight has been confirmed, a management plan can be created. Treatment of bur oak blight with a fungicidal injection, insecticide injection, and growth regulator application is recommended to prevent tree decline. This treatment must be applied by an arborist and timing of the treatment is critical. Contact us to set up an appointment to discuss your options for bur oak blight management.
Apple Scab
Apple scab is one of the more serious diseases of ornamental crabapples. It is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Apple scab can be observed on leaves, blossoms, fruit, and, less frequently, on young succulent shoots. The most obvious symptoms occur on leaves and fruit in the spring and summer, and look like small velvety brown to olive-green spots that enlarge and darken to become more or less circular. Severely infected leaves and fruit fall prematurely. Fungicide control programs for scab should be integrated with sanitation and other cultural management practices. Apple scab can be effectively managed with fungicides by controlling primary infections. Contact us to find out what you can do to bring the full beauty back to your flowering trees.
Needle Cast Diseases
Needle cast diseases cause spruce trees to “cast off” their older needles and keep only the young needles at the tips of the branches. The tree becomes unattractive and may look as though it is dying, but don’t despair. Rhizosphaera and Stigmina, the two most common needle cast diseases of spruce trees, are treatable. You can have your tree looking lush and beautiful again within a few years by following a program of needle cast treatment. Contact us to find out how we can help.
Japanese Beetle
The Japanese Beetle was first found in New Jersey in 1916. Common in every state east of the Mississippi, these insects have spread as far west as California. Japanese beetle adults are gregarious, hanging out in groups, and attracting each other using pheromones. In Iowa, the Linden tree is one of the beetle’s favorite targets. Japanese beetle infestations can defoliate an entire tree in days. These deflorations not only cause unsightly looking trees, but can lead to chronic stress conditions and tree decline. Insecticide sprays can lead to drift contamination issues. Systemic insecticide treatments are the safe way to protect your trees. With the chemical injected directly into the living tree tissue, there is no contamination to the ground or wind drift. Contact us to find out how we can help.
Sycamore Anthracnose
Sycamore anthracnose, is a fungal disease that affects sycamores throughout the United States. While rarely deadly, it can make the trees unsightly and cause large areas of the tree to die back. The fungus attacks the buds and twigs, so infected trees often have “witches brooms” (many twigs originating from a common point) on the ends of their branches, which consist mostly of dead twigs. Fungicidal treatments are highly effective and will restore the vigorous health of your tree and result in less twig drop throughout the year. Contact us to find out how we can help.
