What’s wrong with my tree? Verticillium wilt

Verticillium wilt is a severe fungal disease Verticillium wilt is a severe fungal disease caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae. This fungus lives in the soil and can lay dormant for many years until the roots of susceptible plants, like maple trees, get close and causes the spores to germinate. [...]

What’s wrong with my tree? Sooty mold

Sooty mold is a fungal disease caused by sap-sucking insects Sooty mold is a fungus that is dark-colored and grows on the honeydew produced by sap-sucking insects like aphids. This fungus appears as a black, powdery substance that can cover leaves and twigs. It can even be seen on lawn [...]

What’s Wrong With My Trees? Apple Scab Of Apple & Crabapple Trees

Apple Scab Is A Common Fungus That Affects Apple And Crabapple Trees Apple scab is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis and is a common disease in the cool, wet weather in early spring. High humidity in the early summer can also promote the spread of the disease.

Combating Dutch Elm Disease In Missouri

Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease caused by Ophiostoma ulmi that enters the tree through wounds. Once infected, it spreads to the woody tissue that conducts water before moving throughout the tree. This stops the tree from getting the nutrients it needs. Dutch elm disease is found in most [...]

What’s Wrong With My Trees? Wood Decay

Wood Decay Is Caused By Fungi While wood decay is natural—and beneficial—in nature, we don’t necessarily want it occurring in the trees on our lawns. Wood decay first begins when the tree is damaged by natural or man-made means, be it a storm or improper pruning. Fungus spores and bacteria [...]