Common Tree Diseases Found in Marietta, GA

Georgia’s lawns, gardens, and landscapes have graced the front pages of many newspapers with beauty and elegance. Unfortunately, despite regular lawn care maintenance, disease-causing organisms can appear at any time. 

Keep reading to discover the most common tree diseases in Marietta, GA, and how you can treat or prevent them.

4 Tree Diseases People From Georgia Face

Whenever you see something’s off with your trees, it is essential to investigate and determine the problem. If you don’t have experience with tree maintenance or aren’t familiar with certain tree species, it’s best to consider professional help. 

While some diseases aren’t so harmful to your lawn and you can treat them quickly, others can wreak havoc in your yard and cause extensive damage. Therefore, it is essential to learn when it is considered a tree emergency and when you can repair the damage with fungicide and other solutions.

1. Powdery Mildew

If you notice leaf spots or dots on your crepe myrtles or dogwoods, you’re probably dealing with powdery mildew. It is a common tree disease, and while it won’t kill the entire plant, this fungus will impact its growth. 

It is essential to cut the affected leaves or branches and call in a professional arborist to apply the right amount of fungicide to the leaves. You may also consider regular pruning to ensure airflow and prevent fungus invasion.

2. Black Knot

Black knot is another fungal infection that manifests with dark bumps that grow ten or more inches long. It is one of the most dangerous canker diseases in Georgia, and if you don’t treat it on time, it will misshape, weaken, and kill the plant. 

It is easy to detect this fungus during the winter months when there are no leaves on the trees, but in spring or fall, it is almost impossible to notice, especially if you don’t have experience with tree diseases. It is essential to remove the infected branches to avoid spreading the infection to other plants in your yard.

3. Aphids

If the leaves are yellow, but there are no blisters, you’re probably dealing with aphids. These insects feed on sap and leaves and can vary in color and size. 

If the number of aphids is relatively small, you can use simple treatments such as wiping the leaves with cold water and cayenne. However, if you are dealing with an aphid invasion, it is better to call a professional and discuss more aggressive methods.

4. Oak Leaf Blister

Blisters can affect all oak species, including resistant varieties and types. It is a common tree disease in Marietta, GA, and manifests with yellowish-brown or yellowish-white lesions. 

The treatment and prevention methods are very much like powdery mildew. Also, regular drainage and proper watering are most efficient for preventing more outbreaks.

How To Identify Infected Trees 

Here are some of the common signs that suggest something’s wrong with your tree:

• Chew marks from insects
• Spotty leaves
• Crown dieback
• Brown discoloration
• Severe leaf drops 

The faster you treat the problem, the better. Neglecting the disease can only make things worse and may take days or weeks to fix the damage in your yard. Worst case scenario, comprehensive tree removal might be your only choice.

If none of the above treatments work for your tree, consult with the specialists from SoutheastTree. We are one of the highest-rated tree maintenance and removal services in Marietta and the surrounding area.

Contact the Local Professionals

Whether you need help with trimming, pruning, or emergency tree service, you can count on our tree service experts in Marietta, GA. 

Contact us today at (770) 977-8733 to schedule service, and we’ll handle the tree diseases that are affecting your beautiful lawn.