Identifying tree insects and disease problems on your Seattle or North Bend property can be tricky. This post explains several types of insects and disease as well as tips for examining your trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you start to see a change in your tree\u2019s appearance, note the specific symptoms and if or how they change over time. Treatment is only effective when you\u2019re treating for the right thing therefore, it\u2019s crucial the diagnosis be accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we recommend having an ISA Certified Arborist do an exam and it\u2019s helpful if you can fill them in on changes you\u2019ve seen. Don\u2019t wait too long as the earlier you catch the problem, the higher the chance that treatment will be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trees require just the right amount of light and nutrients. When they don\u2019t get it, they get stressed. Nature equips them to deal with such stresses by changing their growing and development patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes the stress is too much or goes on for too long and the compensations they made aren\u2019t enough. If they can\u2019t handle the stress, they are more likely to fall prey to certain insect and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correctly identifying the plant or tree is critical as many insects and diseases are plant specific. Next, look for patterns of abnormalities by comparing the affected tree or plant with others nearby. Pay particularly close attention to those of the same species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If surrounding plants aren\u2019t affected, it\u2019s likely an insect or disease. If a large area has the same damage patterns, it may indicate disorders caused by physical injury, poor drainage, chemical damage, or weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examine nearby properties to see if any trees or plants have the same problem. Living pathogens take a long time to spread so if a sizable percentage are affected quickly, then it\u2019s likely not a pathogen or insect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check the roots first. Brown roots can signify dry soil or that you have toxic chemicals in your soil. Black roots can mean your soil is too wet or that you have root-rotting organisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, look for wounds on the trunk and branches. Caused by many things (weather, damage by yard equipment, animals, etc.), wounds of any size create openings for pathogens and wood-rotting organisms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding large defects may signal you have a hazardous tree. In that case, it would be prudent to have a certified arborist check it out. Lastly, don\u2019t forget the leaves. While leaf damage by itself is usually not enough for a diagnosis, it provides more clues to help pinpoint the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s never a good idea to just kill all insects as doing so can harm a tree. Why? Most insects are helpful as they aid in pollination or function as predators against more harmful species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some insects do cause damage though it\u2019s often a secondary problem that develops after stress or a pathogen has caused a much bigger one. Trees and plants are not unlike humans in that the original affliction may cause further complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insects are divided into groups by their method of feeding. Each of which has distinct patterns associated with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note<\/strong> that some trees and plants are more vulnerable to certain pathogens.\u00a0 It\u2019s why pathogen-resistant varieties have been developed over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTwo classes of disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n