You have spent a lot of time taking care of your outdoor landscape. Therefore, it can be shocking when you realize there is something wrong with your trees. You have worked hard to take care of them and all of a sudden you notice there are black or brown spots present. Of course, you wonder what is going on. Why do you have black or brown spots on the leaves of your tree? What can you do to fix the situation? Take a look at some helpful information from trained tree professionals below.
The Likely Cause of Black and Brown Spots Is a Fungal Infection
Unfortunately, if you are noticing black and brown spots present on the leaves of your trees, the likely culprit is a fungal infection. There are other possible diagnoses as well. For example, a bacterial infection or the presence of insects can also lead to the development of black and brown spots.
Usually, the problem is ornamental. There is a good chance that the issue will resolve on its own. On the other hand, if you notice that over the course of several days or weeks the spots are starting to spread, or the leaves are starting to fall off of your tree, then you need to take rapid action. In some situations, contacting emergency tree services for assistance can be helpful. That way, you can preserve the life of your tree.
What Symptoms Might You Notice?
Depending on the exact diagnosis and the species of the tree, the shape, size, and number of the black and brown spots will vary. For example, the leaves may have dark speckles on top. Or, the spots may look like they are not actually part of the leaf tissue at all. Some of the most common causes of thought that look like this include scale, mites, aphids, and even whiteflies that have damaged the tree. With caution, you should take a look at the spots and see if they resemble the texture of the rest of the tree.
If you notice the brown spots on the leaves are only on the bottom of your leaves, and the leaves themselves appear dry and shiny, the likely diagnosis is thrips or nematodes.
On the other hand, if you get closer to the spots and realize they are significantly different from the rest of the leaf, this is a serious problem. For example, the fungal spots may look a bit dry or oozy. Or, there may be liquid coming from the leaves themselves. In some cases, the leaf may even start to turn software they spots have come in.
If you are noticing these symptoms, this is a cause for immediate concern. There could be blight, a pH problem, or even a manganese imbalance. There could even be stagnant, moldy, dirty water that has infected the tree leaves. This is cause for concern and is a reason to reach out to professional tree services for help.
What Should You Do?
If you are frustrated by the appearance of black and brown spots on the leaves of your tree, there are a few steps that you should take. These include:
- If your tree has developed an infection, you need to stop the spread of infection as quickly as possible. In this situation, you need to rake up and dispose of any leaves as soon as they fall off. Then, prune the tree and remove any leaves that have been infected. Even though this will not cure the problem, it can slow the spread.
- Next, you should also keep the leaves as dry as possible. If it is raining, there may not be a lot that you can do. On the other hand, you do need to limit overhead watering.
- Finally, you may want to use fungicides to limit the spread of the infection. Even though this should not be your first option, it may be recommended by a trained tree professional.
Of course, if you are concerned about the appearance of black and brown spots on your tree, you do need to consult with a trained arborist for assistance. That way, you can have a firm diagnosis and proceed with a competent plan of action.
Call Pope Tree Service for Help with Black and Brown Spots on Your Tree
If you are noticing the appearance of black and brown spots on the leaves of your tree, you need to get a correct diagnosis as quickly as possible. That way, you can figure out what to do next. We can help you with that. We are Pope Tree Service and we serve the greater San Diego area. We will be happy to help you with all of your tree concerns. Give us a call today to learn more about our services!