Whether you have a few trees on your property in Wichita, KS, or any of the surrounding communities or several, it’s safe to assume you want to keep them as healthy as possible. One way to achieve this goal is to have a better understanding of the tree diseases common in Kansas. This way you’ll know what to look out for when caring for your own trees. Below, we spotlight some of the tree diseases most likely to be an issue in the Sunflower state.
Anthracnose Disease
Dogwoods, maples, and sycamores are among the trees often found in Kansas that can be affected by this fungal tree disease. Symptoms include a loss of leaves, blotching on leaves, and twig dieback. Treatment often involves applications of fungicide. Reduce the risk of having issues with anthracnose disease with regular tree pruning and a consistent watering schedule.
Iron Chlorosis
This is a tree disease so named because it’s caused by low iron levels in a tree’s nutrients. Sweetgums and soft maples are among the trees in Kansas that may develop iron chlorosis. It’s characterized by yellow leaves, although the veins stay green. Minimize the risk for this tree disease with regular watering. Also, ensure your trees have sufficient drainage. However, avoid overwatering since this is one of the factors that may contribute to iron chlorosis.
Oak and Pine Wilt
Red and pine oaks are typically affected by oak wilt, a vascular disease that typically starts at the top of a tree and works its way down. The result is visible brown streaks on an affected tree. Pine wilt is often seen in Scots and Austrian pines in Kansas. It’s caused by a type of microscopic worm deposited onto trees by Pine Sawyer beetles. It causes affected pine trees to turn brown due to disruptions with internal water flow.
Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch elms have long been a popular and preferred tree in many parts of Wichita, Kansas. A big reason is because these trees are highly tolerant to an assortment of conditions, and they can pretty much be planted in any type of soil. While they are certainly beautiful trees, elms can be affected by Dutch elm disease, a tree-related problem that first became a noticeable issue regionally in the 1950s. Early signs of this particular tree disease include leaf wilting and drop-off. If not addressed early, affected trees can die.
Act Quickly at the First Sign of a Problem
The one thing you don’t want to do is let any suspected or obvious tree-related issues linger. If you’re seeing signs of any of the tree diseases we mentioned here or anything else out of the ordinary that’s affecting tree growth or health, contact Complete Tree Service. Our team is ready to provide prompt, expert tree care assistance in Wichita, KS, and nearby areas.
