Trees are an integral part of the St. Louis landscape, providing shade, enhancing property values, and contributing to the area’s natural beauty. However, trees can be vulnerable to a variety of diseases that can compromise their health and structural integrity. In some cases, these diseases are so severe that the only solution is tree removal. Understanding the common tree diseases in St. Louis can help homeowners and property managers recognize the signs early and take appropriate action. In this blog post, Midwest Tree Surgeons helps explore several prevalent tree diseases in St. Louis, their impact on trees, and why removal is often necessary.
Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is one of the most destructive tree diseases affecting elm trees in St. Louis. It is caused by a fungal pathogen, Ophiostoma ulmi, which is spread by bark beetles. The disease disrupts the flow of water within the tree, causing the leaves to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die. DED progresses rapidly, often killing trees within a single growing season. Infected trees pose a significant risk because the fungus can spread to neighboring healthy trees through root grafts or beetle transmission.
Once Dutch Elm Disease is diagnosed, removal of the affected tree is usually required to prevent further spread. Dead or dying trees become brittle and can fall, posing a hazard to nearby structures and people. Regular monitoring and early detection are crucial, but when trees are too far gone, removal is the most responsible course of action.
Oak Wilt
Oak Wilt is another severe fungal disease affecting oak trees in St. Louis, particularly red oaks, which are highly susceptible. The disease is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which spreads through root connections between trees or by beetles attracted to fresh wounds on oak trees. The disease disrupts the tree’s water-conducting vessels, leading to leaf discoloration, wilting, and ultimately, tree death.
Infected trees need to be removed promptly because the disease can spread quickly through interconnected root systems, particularly in areas with dense oak populations. Removal of the tree also reduces the beetle population that transmits the fungus. Proper disposal of infected wood is necessary to prevent the spread of spores to healthy trees.
Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that has caused widespread destruction of ash trees in St. Louis. The larvae of this beetle bore into the bark and disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Infested trees exhibit symptoms such as thinning crowns, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, and increased woodpecker activity as the birds feed on the larvae.
Once an ash tree is infested, it rapidly declines and becomes hazardous. Tree removal is often the only viable solution, as the structural integrity of the tree is compromised, posing a risk of falling limbs. Preventive treatments are available but must be applied early; once infestation is severe, removal is the safest option to protect property and prevent further spread.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that poses a significant threat to ash trees, leading to widespread infestations and tree mortality. First identified in the U.S. in 2002, EAB damages the tree’s vascular system, ultimately causing it to decline and die within a few years. For homeowners facing EAB infestations, professional tree dismantle or removal services are crucial to prevent further spread and protect surrounding trees. Swift action can help manage the problem effectively and restore the landscape’s health.
Anthracnose Disease
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects a wide variety of trees in St. Louis, including sycamores, oaks, and maples. This disease thrives in wet, cool conditions and causes leaves to develop dark, sunken lesions, leading to early leaf drop and twig death. While anthracnose rarely kills mature trees, it can significantly weaken them, making them more susceptible to other pests and diseases.
In severe cases, repeated infections can weaken a tree to the point where removal is necessary, especially if the tree poses a risk to structures or people. Tree removal may also be recommended if the tree is too close to other healthy trees, as the spores can spread through splashing rainwater or wind.
Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS) affects several tree species in St. Louis, including oaks, maples, and elms. This disease is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which blocks the water-conducting tissues of the tree. Symptoms include browning leaf margins, premature leaf drop, and dieback of branches. BLS is particularly challenging because it mimics the symptoms of drought stress, making early diagnosis difficult.
There is no cure for BLS, and over time, the disease will progressively weaken and kill the tree. Removal is often necessary once the tree’s health and structural stability are severely compromised. Prompt removal is essential to prevent the bacteria from spreading to nearby trees, especially in urban areas where trees are in close proximity.
Bacterial Leaf Scorch is a serious plant disease affecting various tree species, primarily oaks, sycamores, and elms. It is caused by a bacterium transmitted by sap-sucking insects, leading to leaf discoloration, premature leaf drop, and overall decline in tree health. To manage this condition, early detection and proper care are essential. Tree removal services can assist by offering tree trimming and pruning, which can help reduce the spread of the bacteria and improve air circulation. This maintenance supports healthier trees and enhances the overall landscape.
Thousand Cankers Disease
Thousand Cankers Disease primarily affects walnut trees in St. Louis and is caused by the combined activity of the walnut twig beetle and a fungal pathogen. The beetle tunnels into the bark, creating entry points for the fungus, which then causes small cankers that disrupt the tree’s vascular system. Over time, thousands of cankers develop, girdling branches and causing the tree to die.
Walnut trees infected with Thousand Cankers Disease decline rapidly, and removal is often the only solution. Infected trees pose a significant threat as the beetles and fungus can easily spread to other walnut trees, making early removal and proper disposal critical for controlling the spread of this disease.
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects a wide range of tree species, including maples, ash, and redbuds. The fungus invades the tree’s root system and spreads through the vascular tissue, causing wilting, branch dieback, and discoloration of the leaves. Trees with Verticillium Wilt often show one-sided symptoms, with only part of the tree appearing affected.
There is no effective cure for Verticillium Wilt, and infected trees often decline over time. Removal is recommended when the disease has severely compromised the tree’s health and when it poses a safety risk. Additionally, since the fungus remains in the soil, replacing the tree with a resistant species is usually advised.
Verticillium wilt is a serious fungal disease affecting various trees and plants, leading to wilting, yellowing leaves, and premature leaf drop. It invades the vascular system, disrupting water and nutrient transport. Infected trees often weaken over time, making them susceptible to further diseases and pests. For homeowners dealing with infected trees, timely tree felling services can prevent the spread of this disease to nearby plants, ensuring the health of your landscape.
Fire Blight
Fire Blight is a bacterial disease that primarily affects fruit trees such as apple, pear, and crabapple, but it can also impact ornamental trees in St. Louis. The disease causes blackened, withered leaves and branches that resemble fire damage, hence the name. It spreads rapidly during warm, wet weather and can severely damage or kill trees if not managed properly.
While pruning out infected branches can help manage the spread of Fire Blight, severely infected trees may need to be removed. Removal helps prevent the bacteria from spreading to healthy trees, especially in densely planted urban or orchard settings. Proper disposal of infected material is essential to reduce the risk of reinfection.
Phytophthora Root Rot
Phytophthora Root Rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots of trees, particularly in poorly drained soils or areas with standing water. The disease causes root decay, which leads to a reduction in the tree’s ability to uptake water and nutrients. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, reduced growth, and in severe cases, tree death.
Trees affected by Phytophthora Root Rot often exhibit a decline over several seasons, and by the time symptoms are visible, the root system may be severely damaged. Removal is often necessary, especially when the tree poses a safety hazard or is beyond saving. Managing soil moisture and improving drainage are critical steps in preventing this disease in future plantings.
Canker Diseases
Canker diseases, caused by various fungi and bacteria, affect many tree species in St. Louis, including willows, birches, and dogwoods. Cankers are dead areas of bark that can girdle branches or the main trunk, cutting off nutrient flow and leading to dieback or tree death. These diseases often enter through wounds and are exacerbated by environmental stress.
Severe cankers that affect the main trunk or large limbs often necessitate tree removal, as they compromise the tree’s structural integrity. Removal is also crucial in preventing the spread of canker pathogens to neighboring trees. In urban areas, dead or weakened trees can pose a serious safety risk, making timely removal essential.
Canker diseases are fungal infections that affect trees, causing lesions on stems, branches, and leaves. These infections can lead to dieback, reduced growth, and even tree death if not managed. Proper tree care, including timely removal of infected wood, is essential for prevention. Log bucking services can help by safely cutting and processing affected trees, reducing the spread of canker diseases and promoting healthier growth in surrounding plants.
FAQs
What causes a diseased tree?
The best remedy is a course of pre-emptive foliar treatments — targeted to the specific pathogen(s) the tree is susceptible to – which will reduce the level of infection of treated leaves. Timely action is important: these anti-fungal and anti-bacterial applications must begin early in the season to be successful.
Can diseases spread from tree to tree?
An infection starts when sap-feeding beetles pick up spores from infected red oaks and carry them to fresh wounds on other oaks. Once an oak tree becomes infected, this disease can spread to adjacent oaks through root connections. All oak species are susceptible.
What is killing the trees?
Most trees come under stress, usually from an environmental issue such as drought, extreme heat or cold (or a combination of those factors) or mechanical damage such as improper pruning, equipment or storm damage, and THEN the insect, fungus or nematode does him in.
What is the source on killing a tree?
In stanza 3, the poet tells us that in order to kill a tree, one has to detach it from its source, that is the earth. The tree has to be uprooted to kill it. The roots of the tree that bind it firmly with the soil of the earth have to be uprooted.
What is the most effective step of killing a tree?
The most important thing to do while killing a tree is to ensure that the root is pulled out of the earth. A tree is not killed all of a sudden. So long as the roots are intact inside the earth, the tree remains alive.
Conclusion
Tree diseases are a significant concern in St. Louis, and understanding the common threats is essential for maintaining healthy landscapes. While some diseases can be managed with early intervention and treatment, others are so severe that tree removal becomes the only viable solution. Prompt removal of diseased trees not only prevents the spread of pathogens to other healthy trees but also mitigates the risk of falling trees and limbs, which can pose a danger to people and property. Homeowners and property managers should regularly inspect their trees, consult with certified arborists, and take proactive measures to address tree diseases before they escalate.