This summer you may have come across odd spots on the leaves of your maples. Or perhaps the oaks in your yard are putting out fewer branches and you can put no reason to it. It is natural to be concerned that a tree you hold in high regard could be unwell even if you are not sure.

Do not think you are overreacting, or that you are the only one with such worries. We at Family Tree Care have made it our business to shield the trees of homeowners and companies along the Connecticut shoreline from 1996 to the present. Should a tree under your care seem off in some way, we would be happy to take your call at (203) 902-3639.

There is no denying the beauty of the climate here on the shoreline, but the humidity and coastal winds in concert with the vagaries of the weather make for an environment in which diseases run rampant. One has to know what to look for to put a stop to trouble before it gets out of hand.

Why Shoreline Trees Are More Exposed

Inland trees do not have to contend with what the shore throws at them. In older neighborhoods you will find dense plantings, damp air and salt spray, all of which facilitate the spread of disease. An infection in one tree will see its neighbours of the same kind suffer next, so it is important to make an early identification. The more you know about the situation, the better your options. For the most part the diseases in this region are easy enough to spot if you are familiar with the signs.

Some of the Common Tree Diseases in Connecticut

Our Connecticut Certified Arborists have put their skills to work over the years on all manner of tree ailments. Among the diseases that are a threat to shoreline trees we encounter:

• Dutch elm disease: beetles carry this fungus about and the elm will wilt and yellow and go into a fast decline
• Oak wilt: water flow in the tree is obstructed and an oak can be done in by the end of the season
• Anthracnose: a fungal affliction of the maple, sycamore and dogwood that manifests as dark and irregular leaf spots
• Apple scab: you will see olive-green or brown blotches on the fruit and leaves of crabapples and other ornamental fruit trees
• Beech bark disease: insects and fungus conspire to produce cankers and dieback
• Needle cast: evergreens will thin out as they shed needles
• Verticillium wilt: a soil-borne fungus that works its way up from the roots of maples and others

Then there are those that can be deceiving; to an untrained observer a tree under drought stress is much like one with a fungal problem.

Is Your Tree in Trouble?

An expert is not required to see the first indications of difficulty, though some attention is called for. Be on the lookout for any of the following on your property:

• Foliage with spots or an odd colouring
• Leaves turning yellow or brown and falling ahead of schedule
• Bark that is cracked or oozing, or has cankers
• Branches that are dead, particularly up top
• A canopy that is bare in places where it was once full
• Mushrooms and the like at the foot of the trunk

All too often when a tree appears sick the disease is already entrenched. A professional opinion is advisable at the first hint of a problem.

The Value of a Certified Arborist

To get a proper diagnosis of a tree disease requires experience. The three arborists we have on staff at Family Tree Care are all Connecticut Certified, having put in the time to pass the state’s exacting three-part exam. We know what we are seeing when we examine your tree. You can have confidence in the work we do on your property as we are fully licensed and insured.

We have a vested interest in the community’s trees as well. We put in volunteer hours tending to the stock at historic properties in Guilford like Dudley Farm and the Meadow Stone House. They are what give the region its character and we want to see them remain in good health.

Act Before It Is Too Late

Tree diseases are not going to abate of their own accord, so there is little point in waiting and hoping. Early intervention through proper plant healthcare is what gives a tree the best odds.

For emergency tree services we are available around the clock. We are here to help you in Guilford and the rest of the Connecticut shoreline and beyond. Contact us at (203) 902-3639 and speak with someone from our team.