Tree diseases can affect the health of your trees, shrubs, and other plants in a variety of ways, and therefore necessitate different types of treatment. Each tree species is susceptible to different pests or tree diseases. As a property owner, you want to keep your eyes open for a few common symptoms or out-of-the-ordinary occurrences in your trees. Catching diseases early not only gives you more time to treat your tree correctly but also prevents the spread of damage that could occur.

Birch Tree Care has been working in the Minnesota region for decades now, and knows the right treatment plan for your trees. Simply contact us and one of our arborists will be happy to provide you with a custom quote.

Common Tree Diseases

The symptoms can be seen in a variety of diseases. Here are some of the common tree diseases that affect the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. 

Apple Scab 

Apple Scab is a serious disease that attacks the leaves and fruits of apple trees and ornamental crabapples. The disease appears as dark spots on the surface of the leaves and look like scabs on the fruits. This causes the leaves to droop or fall over prematurely and for the apples to crack or become distorted. If you think your apple trees might be suffering from this disease, make sure you reach out for professional help as soon as possible. Our plant health care specialists at Birch Tree Care will remove the dead twigs, branches, and infected leaves, and provide the right fungicide to treat your trees.

Oak Wilt is a deadly disease that affects Oak trees throughout the year. The disease spreads through root grafts underground or through beetles above the ground. The disease can cause major harm by leading to wilting and the eventual death of Oak trees. Quick action can save a tree if it’s already attacked by Oak Wilt. Although there is no apparent cure for the disease, there is a way to prevent it from spreading and causing more damage. Contact our plant health care professionals for advice on how to prevent the disease. 

As the name suggests, Dutch Elm Disease affects American Elm trees that are widespread in Minnesota. The disease spreads through an invasive fungus that is carried by elm beetles or spread through root grafts and can greatly damage the trees. If you notice your Elm tree leaves are yellowing, wilting, or turning brown something isn’t right. Treatment and prevention are the best methods for this type of disease. If you think your Elm trees are suffering, reach out to our arborists immediately and help reduce the damage caused to your trees. 

Anthracnose 

The fungal infection attacks foliage, flowers, fruit, and twigs of trees and shrubs. Symptoms depend on the species of tree affected, but leaf drop and dense shoot growth are potential signs of anthracnose. Our plant health care specialists at Birch Tree Care will remove the dead twigs, branches, and infected leaves, and provide the right fungicide to treat your trees.

If you think your trees might be suffering from infections or diseases, contact us and one of our arborists will be happy to provide you with a custom quote to treat your trees. 

Our Tree Disease Treatments

Our skilled team of arborists and plant health care professionals will create a customized treatment plan targeted to help the type of tree infected, the disease, and the site conditions.

Disease Identification and Treatment Plan

Our arborists will start off by inspecting the foliage, trunk, and stems of the symptomatic tree for evidence of disease. Once the type of disease affecting your plant is identified, the plant health care specialists will recommend a course of preventive treatments most appropriate for the specific pathogen and tree species. They might use fertilization and other insecticides to prevent the disease from re-appearing, and increase overall tree health. 

Site Assessment

The site conditions of your tree can greatly affect its resistance — and its vulnerability — to diseases and other stressors. Our arborists will examine the site to identify any adverse conditions that may have caused the tree to become infected, and provide recommendations on how to maintain the surrounding environment. 

Areas We Offer Tree Disease Treatments

Our arborists at Birch Tree Care have been providing tree disease treatment services to homeowners and commercial property managers in Minneapolis and St. Paul since 2015. We’ve worked in many neighborhoods, including St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Falcon Heights, and West St. Paul, amongst others. 

Our certified arborists have the skills needed to identify and treat different types of tree diseases and assess your trees in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region. Call us at 651.372.3402 for more information on these areas and service options. 

Why Choose Birch Tree Care

At Birch Tree Care, our experienced team of arborists and plant health care professionals is passionate about trees. They care deeply about the work that they do and have the skillset required to properly diagnose and treat your trees and plants. 

Our ISA-certified specialists are committed to you and the health and safety of your trees. They work tirelessly to help find the best plan for your trees. With over two decades of experience in tree care, you can count on us to get the job done efficiently.

Tree Disease FAQs

  • If you notice signs that are out of the ordinary, such as powdery mildew or dark spots on your tree leaves, yellowing or browning leaves, or weakening branches and stems, it could mean that your trees are suffering from a disease or infection. Make sure you get professional help to ensure your plants have the right treatment plan in place.

  • The fungi, bacteria, and viruses that cause infections and diseases in plants are very different from the ones that cause illnesses in humans and other animals. This is why, in most cases, the answer is no - tree diseases cannot affect humans.

  • There are a number of environmental stressors that can affect the trees and cause a flare-up of infections and diseases. Moist conditions during the wet spring months attract a lot of diseases and infections. Additionally, a tree that has been weakened by drought or oxygen starvation can be especially susceptible to disease. Good tree management reduces drought stress and mechanical damage and thus reduces the likelihood of disease problems with trees. Simply contact us and our team of trained arborists will be happy to provide you with a maintenance schedule for your trees.