Common Tree Diseases in the San Francisco Bay Area
Common Tree Diseases in the San Francisco Bay Area
For those of you living in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are some specific tree diseases you should look out for in your landscaping. The following diseases are good to be aware of if you are a homeowner in the area, so you know what symptoms to seek out.
Here are 4 fairly common tree diseases in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sooty Mold
The first tree disease on our list is Sooty Mold. In addition to being a danger to your trees, it also can bring aphids to them as well.
Sooty Mold is most commonly found during the warmer spring and summer months, and it can quickly spread to a multitude of different types of trees. However, it more commonly goes for your fruit trees.
Even though your fruit trees could easily get this disease, it doesn’t mean you have to waste the fruit that grows on them. Produce that does have mold on it can simply be washed with mild soap and water to be ready to eat.
While it will not actually kill your trees, it will ruin how they look. Typical signs of Sooty Mold include an almost furry mold and curling, yellow leaves.
Shot Hole Fungus
Next up, we have Shot Hole Fungus. This particular tree disease targets the Prunus species, which includes almond trees and stone fruit trees.
Shot Hole Fungus causes holes and browning on the tree leaves, as well as yellowing stems. Due to San Francisco’s warm and wet winters, this disease is much more of a problem in this area.
Luckily, just like the Sooty Mold, this disease only affects the aesthetic of the tree, not its life. However, it can weaken the tree enough to make it susceptible to other diseases, which could be deadly. Shot Hole Fungus is also exasperated by urban pollutants.
Fire Blight
Fire Blight, a bacterial disease that is very contagious, will cause issues for your trees starting in the early spring season. It causes a burned look on the tree’s bark, leaves, and stems, as well as brown and/or wilted blossoms, and a brown bacteria ooze.
It also acts fairly quickly, within a week or two your tree will look burnt and damaged. Fire Blight also spreads through different sources, like rain, bees, wind, birds, and insects. If there’s a few trees with symptoms, it’s common for more to follow.
However, it does not affect too many different types of trees. Most commonly it causes problems for your apple and pear trees.
Chinese Elm Anthracnose
Lastly, we have the Chinese Elm Anthracnose disease. It can be spotted by your tree’s branches dying from their tips, Large, black spots on leaves, and cankers near the base of your tree.
By the name, you can probably guess that this disease most commonly affects the Chinese Elm tree. As these are incredibly common in San Francisco, it is a disease that is seen often in the area. Other types of trees can get anthracnose as well, it’s simply a fungus that causes branches to die from their tips.
The disease can weaken your tree and increase its chances of being affected by other diseases, insects, and weather. Preventing this disease is best done by having professionals prune your trees during the fall and winter months.
Hiring Professionals for Tree Disease Control in the San Francisco Bay Area
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and you are concerned about tree disease. Consider contacting a professional tree care company to assist you.
Arborist Now is available in this area to assist with these diseases and any other problems your trees may have. Give us a call today or check out our services to see how we can help!
