Spotting something out of the ordinary on your tree can be greatly concerning. For instance, the presence of white fungus on your tree can lead you to think the worst.
Is white fungus on trees dangerous? Read on to learn all you need to know about this fungal disease and how consulting Clark Tree Experts, a reputable tree service in Gainesville, GA, can help.
Types of White Fungus
Fungal diseases manifest themselves in various ways. That said, two of the most common types of white fungus include powdery mildew and white-rot fungus.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that coats your tree’s leaves with a white powdery substance. It can affect almost any tree species, and tiny fungal spores in the air or on the insects that invade your tree help spread the disease.
White-Rot Fungus
While powdery mildew only impacts your tree’s leaves, white-rot fungus degrades your tree’s lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose layers. It basically eats your tree’s wood, causing it to weaken.
Is White Fungus Dangerous?
Is white fungus on trees dangerous? The short answer is yes. Though the damage these fungal diseases cause differs, they are both harmful.
For instance, the white powdery substance on your tree’s leaves can cause them to turn yellow and fall prematurely. This stresses your tree and makes it susceptible to infestations and other tree diseases.
However, you need to watch out for white-rot fungus, the deadlier of the two. The wood decay this fungus causes severely weakens your tree’s branches, limbs, and structural integrity. This increases the chances of it falling, potentially injuring you or damaging your home.
How To Identify, Treat, and Prevent White Fungus
Identifying powdery mildew is easy enough. Simply inspect the surface of your tree’s leaves. If your leaves look like they’ve been sprinkled with baby powder, then you have a case of powdery mildew on your hands.
With white-rot fungus, identification becomes a bit trickier and will require you to consult a trained arborist. They will inspect the texture of your tree’s bark, checking to see if it is soft and spongy. If it is, your tree might be infected.
The fungus also tends to turn the wood yellow or white in color.
Treating and Preventing White Fungus
Now for the good news: You might not need to treat powdery mildew at all. You’ll only need to implement measures to keep the disease from becoming severe. For example, you could spray the leaves with a mixture of water and household baking soda.
White-rot fungus, however, is a different story. Without prompt treatment, you could end up losing your entire tree. Fortunately, a certified arborist can use a few technical treatments to eliminate the fungus.
As far as prevention goes, keeping your trees as healthy as possible should do the trick. This is because white fungus usually attacks already weakened trees.
So, to keep your trees safe:
- Prune them regularly
- Ensure you water them properly
- Nourish the soil they grow in
Do this, and you’ll have a lot less to worry about.
Professional Tree Care in Gainesville, GA
Is white fungus on trees dangerous? While not all fungal diseases are fatal, their tree health impact is never positive. As such, the safest course of action begins with scheduling regular professional tree care.
At Clark Tree Experts, we are committed to ensuring your tree stays healthy and beautiful for years to come. Whether you need help with white fungus or treating a damaged tree trunk, we’ve got you covered. Call us today at 706-776-8733 to request your free estimate.
