General Rules of Thumb.
It seems as if every day there is a new disease or pest to report on. What should you do to protect your trees from such problems? What are some important guidelines to follow?
Keep your trees healthy
The same is true for people - a healthy person doesn't get as sick as often as an un-healthy person. In most cases pests and diseases attack weakened trees. Trees get weakened and are susceptible for a host of reasons including - poor pruning practices, poor planting practices, improper irrigation (too much or too little), and construction damage (especially in the root zone). This just names a few reasons trees can become susceptible to pests and diseases.
Diversify your plantings
Hopefully you have the ability to do something about this. Don't rely too much on one type of tree species. Don't plant all pine trees on your property just because you like pine trees - think of the devastation caused by a major outbreak on pines. Now if you have diversified your plantings, losing a pine tree amongst many other remaining trees wouldn't be as devastating. I like to suggest the 20% rule. Try not to allow any species to account for more than 20% of the population.
It seems as if every day there is a new disease or pest to report on. What should you do to protect your trees from such problems? What are some important guidelines to follow?
Keep your trees healthy
The same is true for people - a healthy person doesn't get as sick as often as an un-healthy person. In most cases pests and diseases attack weakened trees. Trees get weakened and are susceptible for a host of reasons including - poor pruning practices, poor planting practices, improper irrigation (too much or too little), and construction damage (especially in the root zone). This just names a few reasons trees can become susceptible to pests and diseases.
Diversify your plantings
Hopefully you have the ability to do something about this. Don't rely too much on one type of tree species. Don't plant all pine trees on your property just because you like pine trees - think of the devastation caused by a major outbreak on pines. Now if you have diversified your plantings, losing a pine tree amongst many other remaining trees wouldn't be as devastating. I like to suggest the 20% rule. Try not to allow any species to account for more than 20% of the population.
This insect, the Glassy-winged sharpshooter,
carries a bacteria that kills Oleanders in California and Arizona.
Ask a professional.
If you're in the Southern California or Phoenix Arizona area and suspect a problem with your trees give us a call. In most cases we can provide a free estimate and are able to give you some expert consultation on the problem. If you consult others, ask questions and be wary of high pressure sales tactics. If they are absolutely 100% sure of the problem with your tree too soon, get a second opinion. Trees are very complex organisms and what may seem to be an insect problem, might actually be a lack of nutrients (just because you see an insect feeding on your tree, doesn't mean that it is the root cause of the problem). Sometimes lab work is necessary to accurately diagnose a problem. Consider the cost of accurate diagnosis to losing a valuable property asset like your trees.
For additional info visit the following websites:
International Society of Arboriculture http://www.isa-arbor.com/
UC Davis Integrated Pest Management Homepage http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html
Pest pictures from United States Department of Agriculture
carries a bacteria that kills Oleanders in California and Arizona.
Ask a professional.
If you're in the Southern California or Phoenix Arizona area and suspect a problem with your trees give us a call. In most cases we can provide a free estimate and are able to give you some expert consultation on the problem. If you consult others, ask questions and be wary of high pressure sales tactics. If they are absolutely 100% sure of the problem with your tree too soon, get a second opinion. Trees are very complex organisms and what may seem to be an insect problem, might actually be a lack of nutrients (just because you see an insect feeding on your tree, doesn't mean that it is the root cause of the problem). Sometimes lab work is necessary to accurately diagnose a problem. Consider the cost of accurate diagnosis to losing a valuable property asset like your trees.
For additional info visit the following websites:
International Society of Arboriculture http://www.isa-arbor.com/
UC Davis Integrated Pest Management Homepage http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html
Pest pictures from United States Department of Agriculture
