Tree service professionals offer solutions for blackening trees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4 Reasons Trees May Have Black Bark or Leaves
This is normally one of the greenest times of the year, so if a tree on your property does not look so green, it becomes pretty quickly noticeable. So, what could be happening with this tree? If the bark of the trunk is blackening and the leaves of the tree are malformed, shriveled, or wilting, then the tree will normally have one of four things wrong with it: the tree is under stress, the tree has a bacterial or fungal infection, or the tree is infested with some kind of pest.
This article will discuss these four factors and what a local tree service company can do to help.
Stress
All living things can experience the biological effects of stress, even plants. A living entity’s response to adverse conditions is the best way to define this. Black bark can be in response to damage from lightning storms or wind storms. Adverse changes in soil suitability may also be a factor. Incorrect tree trimming or tree pruning practices can also contribute to the stress on a tree.
Bacterial Infection
While most people think about bacteria infecting animals, we often don’t think about them infecting trees and plants as well. Several tree diseases are the direct result of bacteria. A few examples of these problems are included below.
- Fire Blight: This disease is caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora. So-called because the leaves of an infected tree look burned, fire blight is particularly hard on apple and pear trees. If left unchecked, it can destroy a whole orchard in a single growing season.
- Bacterial Wetwood: This tree disease causes a black oozing liquid to exude from the tree, giving the bark a black appearance. It is also called slime flux and can affect many different types of shade trees through a variety of bacteria.
- Bacterial Cankers: These look like a form of open wounds on a tree.
Fungal Infection
Like bacterial infection, fungal infection tends to attack trees that may already be under stress. Fungal infections often spread due to overwatering or poor soil drainage because moisture and humidity play a significant factor in fungal reproduction and growth. A few examples of common fungal infections found their way into the below list.
- Anthracnose
- Butt rot
- Canker diseases
- Little leaf disease
- Sooty Mold
- Verticillium wilt
Proper tree health care is essential for limiting the spread of the fungus, and if a tree is overrun, the reality of tree removal may need to be discussed.
Pest Infestation
The final problem that can result in a black trunk is insect attack. There are several types of beetles and ants that can cause problems for trees. Maples, ashes, and oaks are particularly attractive to certain types of insects. Some of the local culprits include the emerald ash borer, the spongy moth, and hemlock wooly adelgid.
Tree Health Care: Prevention and Treatment
Trees tend to get diseases and infestations when they are already under stress. These invaders see a weak spot or cut in the barky protection of a tree and quickly latch on. This can be a result of over-trimming or neglectful overgrowth of a plant. If a homeowner hires a certified arborist to tend to their trees, they may be able to prevent the infestation or infection in the first place. If some sort of problem is already present, the tree health pro can help restore the tree as long as it is not too far gone.
About Greater Pitt Tree Service
Providing excellent tree service in and around the Greater Pittsburgh, PA Area, Greater Pitt Tree Service offers free estimates and 24/7 emergency tree service. Call today for reliable, fully insured technicians; financing is available.