Trees always make a landscape look more beautiful. But, and just like their smaller plant cousins, you need to monitor them on regular basis for insects, stress and damage. All three of these things can weaken your trees and make them more vulnerable to three major Texas tree diseases.
Oak wilt
All oak species – and especially red oak – are susceptible to oak wilt, which clogs the tree’s vascular system, blocking the passage of water and nutrients. No cure exists for this disease, although a trained specialist can apply an expensive preventive treatment onto all wounds on an oak tree.
Hypoxylon canker
This fungal disease is most common in the eastern part of Texas and kills damaged or stressed oaks and other hardwood trees. Hypoxylon canker is most active during prolonged periods of drought like the one currently gripping the state. The fungus gains a foothold in trees where the moisture content is low. Symptoms include:
• dieback of canopy
• dark-colored spores wherever bark has peeled off
• bark falling off branches and trunk
No cure exists for hypoxylon canker. However, it can be prevented by giving the tree additional water during periods of drought and sealing all wounds immediately.
Phytophthora foot rot
Foot rot is fungal disease prevalent in Texas soil that tends to manifest most often on citrus trees planted too deeply in the ground. If you notice cracked bark, brick-red or brown bark at the soil line, discoloration on the lower part of the trunk or yellow foliage, chances are your tree has foot rot which can be treated with fungicides.
