Midwestern Tree Disease Resources
Alongside purchasing and selling trees, Forest Forever, LLC of Angola seeks to preserve the natural environment by treating and preventing tree diseases. There are several different diseases that affect native species and specific variations that affect the trees we see.
Ash Borer
This tree disease affects ash trees. Emerald Ash Borers are an invasive species of beetle which bore into the wood, eat the tissues under the bark, and eventually kill the tree. Native to China, the beetle was brought here accidentally in wooden shipping crates. While it is not dangerous for humans to be near trees with ash borer, the affected trees will die within two to four years. If your trees have crown dieback (dead branches throughout the canopy), epicormic sprouting (new growth in odd areas such as the base of the tree), or bark splitting, they may have ash borer disease. Forest Forever, LLC strives to treat, eliminate, and prevent ash borer as much as possible through quarantine strategies and pesticides. Quarantining restricts the movement of trees from the area to keep the disease from spreading, while pesticides can get rid of the beetles and keep them from coming back. Our tree experts try to save the tree whenever possible; however, if the disease has spread too far, we will remove the tree and replace it with a new tree.
Walnut Canker
Walnut canker (also known as thousand cankers disease) affects certain walnut tree species in Indiana. The disease results from the activity of the walnut twig beetle, along with a fungus that produces canker. Once the tree is infected, the cankers expand and penetrate the cambium of the tree, destroying the ability for the tree to store nutrients. If the disease is caught early, it can be restricted to that tree through quarantining, or even being removed. More advanced cases of walnut canker require prompt tree removal and replanting. Forest Forever, LLC has the experience to identify the best remedy for your trees with walnut canker disease. It will help you restore valuable vegetation, offering prevention methods to protect future trees.
Scab
Scab disease seriously affects apple and crabapple trees. Symptoms begin with olive green or gray spots on the bottom of leaves, which causes them to fall off prematurely. When caught early, we may be able to control the disease with a fungicide. Raking and removing leaves and debris around these trees may prevent the disease from taking hold or spreading.
Beech Bark
One other Indiana tree disease includes beech bark disease, which causes significant decay in the American beech tree. The bark is attacked by the beech scale, a small insect that destroys the bark by creating a fungus. Forest Forever, LLC works to control this disease by removing the affected trees, and prevents its spread to other trees in the area. Since healthy trees are found thriving next to infected trees, methods for increasing the level of resistance in trees may be possible, and the industry hopes to develop them further.
American Chestnut Blight
This disease is common among hardwood forests, and is a fungus that is widespread among different chestnut species. Currently, the disease cannot be cured, but prompt removal of the affected trees can prevent the spread of American Chestnut Blight. Forest Forever, LLC can help you diagnose your trees, and determine the best method of restoring the growth of your trees though new planting.
For more information on these or other tree diseases throughout Indiana, as well as the midwest, please get in touch with us.
