Fungal growth is a natural occurrence, especially in moist, warm environments. Noticing mushrooms and other growths on your tree trunk, branches, and leaves could be a sign of something more severe than humid weather. Learn how to prevent and combat tree fungus to help maintain healthy plants.

Preventing Fungal Disease

While you can’t control the temperature and weather around your outdoor trees, you can make it harder for fungus to grow on your plants, even in warm, wet conditions. Maintaining healthy trees helps to keep them strong enough to resist fungal-related diseases. Here’s how:

1. Watering. Overwatering keeps the soil and roots soggy, inviting mold growth on and below the surface. Only water when the soil is dry a few inches deep.
2. Aerating. Break up the soil to help improve air circulation and drainage around the roots.
3. Spacing. Improve airflow by removing crisscrossing branches and not overcrowding plants.
4. Pruning. Remove any infected branches or leaves and properly dispose them. If possible, only trim during the dormant season to minimize plant stress.
5. Cleaning. Sterilize pruning tools between cuts to prevent spreading disease.
6. Mulching. Break up mulch or leaves before using it as natural fertilizer in your lawn and garden. Matted materials can trap moisture and breed fungus.

If you’ve tried these preventative measure but still notice signs of fungal spores, there are some treatment options to consider to help save your tree.

Signs of Fungus

Some symptoms of fungal disease are more prominent than others. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Dead leaves or branches
• Light-colored dust coating leaves or branches
• Discolored bark or scabby growths
• Wilting leaves or needles
• Mushrooms growing on the bark or base of the trunk
• Soggy soil around the tree trunk

These symptoms could be the result of a number of fungal diseases. Some of the most common ones include:

• Oak Wilt
• Root Rot
• Canker Disease
• Powdery Mildew
• Sooty Mold
• Rust Diseases
• Needle Cast
• Mushroom Conks

Once you notice the signs, the sooner you act, the better your chances of saving your tree.

Combat Tree Fungus

Even though fungus is a part of nature, it can still do damage around your yard. Treating early signs of disease may mean the difference between regaining plant health or having to remove the plant completely before the disease spreads. Here are some treatment options:

1. Fungicides. Different products treat different diseases, so be sure to choose appropriately.
2. Natural remedies. Vinegar, baking soda, and even milk have been used in sprays as a chemical-free fungicide.
3. Arborists. If a majority of the tree is impacted, contact a professional to properly diagnose, treat, or remove the tree.
4. Tree removal. Fungal disease can compromise a tree’s structural integrity, making it more of a hazard.

Fungal growth should not be ignored or downplayed as part of nature. Left untreated, the disease can spread throughout the tree and infect surrounding plants. It’s best to have the problem properly diagnosed and treated by a professional. Contact Elite Tree Care at 610-935-2279 for a consultation at the first signs of fungus or any other tree issue.