Hickory trees are considered to be some of the most durable trees out there. They are tall, they are sturdy, and they are impressive. But that doesn’t mean that they’re going to last forever. You will need to cut down distressed hickory trees with the help of tree removal services. And here are some of the problems you can face with Hickory trees.

Hickory Anthracnose

Also known as Hickory leaf spot, this disease is mainly caused by a fungus, and it can occur any time of the year but it mainly occurs close to the winter season. The easiest way to tell that a Hickory tree is suffering from anthracnose is by looking at the leaves. There will be reddish or brown spots on the top part of the leaves. And there will be lighter brown spots on the bottom part of the tree.

This is really common in Hickory trees and even though it is not very damaging to the trees or their health in general, you should still try to remove the leaves that are affected by the leaf spot. Once you pluck the leaves, the chances of further spreading are reduced a lot and that will ensure the prevention of further defoliation of the leaves in the long run.

Witches’ Broom

This disease usually follows right after a leaf spot. This makes the leaves very dry and brittle, and the spots can turn whitish too. This is really bad and you want to pinpoint the problem before the tree runs out of leaves and there is nothing you can do further. Once the disease reaches the stem of the tree leaves, then a growth known as a witches’ broom will be formed.

It will be thin, spiky, and very dry – as the name suggests – with small leaves that will fall as soon as they sprout. So, you want to ensure that this doesn’t happen, because that can turn into a point of no return. When you see witches’ broom form, then you want to call in a tree expert right away because you will want to know about the overall health of the tree.

Powdery Mildew

This is a very common disease or problem that occurs in a lot of trees, but with Hickory trees, this can also lead to issues in the long run. If you see a whitish, fluffy powdery substance deposited on the tee leaves and it is not snow and it is not going away either, then this is powdery mildew. This is caused by a fungus and it can also worsen in very wet and humid climates. To get rid of this, there are a lot of home remedies you can try.

You can use a mix of baking soda, lukewarm water, and detergent, and spray it on the leaves. It will get rid of the substance. Other than that, you want to regularly prune the trees in order to prevent further spreading of the infection. Also, you don’t just want to leave the fallen leaves on the ground because if you do, then the mildew can be deposited on other trees in close vicinity and you don’t want that to happen.

Verticillium Wilt

Verticillium wilt is a very common infection in the Hickory tree. It is caused by a fungus and it mainly involves parts of the branches just wilting off and looking very dull. In severe cases, part of the tree can also die and that is not good at all. It usually starts from the branches and then goes inside the tree, attacking the roots and other integral parts of the tree. This is really bad and you want to stop this infection from penetrating any further.

So, in order to do that, you need to prune out the dead parts of the tree and you want to ensure that you’re watering the tree as well. Leaving the tree dry in very unforgiving seasons can lead to this problem and that is not ideal.

Cankers

Cankers on Hickory trees are a result of a tree wound and the infection in said wound due to a fungus. This causes a bulbous growth on the tree, which is basically a canker. The most common places where cankers can grow are the twigs, branches, or even lone parts of the tree. Cankers can actually be really bad if they’re left for far too long.

Usually, the sort of tree where the canker is has to be cut off in order to save the tree from further damage. You can hire emergency tree services Bethesda for the job. Regular pruning, watering, and fertilizing will keep the trees from getting wounded and the chances of cankers will also be less.

Aphid Infestation

The leaves of the hickory tree can be attacked by aphids too. These are small insects with triangle-like patterns on their bodies. Aphids can be found in many seasons, but in Hickory trees, there are many species that can feast on these trees.

In order to get rid of aphids, you want to ensure that you’re using pesticides on the trees, but you always want to use them in a calculated amount, because too much pesticides can lead to damage to the tree as well as the environment. So, you want to ensure that you’re using these things sparingly and are keeping the tree’s health in check.

Fall Web Worm

Fall web worms are basically worms that make webs on the leaves of Hickory trees. They feast on the leaves and make webs that really affect the health of the trees. The leaves will turn wilted, they will droop down, and overall, it’s downhill from there.

Fall web worms lay their eggs within the cracks of the bark and the stems of the trees, so that they are protected until they grow big and unleash their wrath on Hickory trees. In order to control the infestation, you need to prune the trees and remove the eggs and larvae from the trees to prevent them from growing and damaging the trees.

Hickory Horned Devil

Hickory horned devil is a five-inch bug, but it is a real devil when it comes to declining the tree’s health. The bug lays eggs on the underside of the leaves and once the larva grows, they begin feeding on the leaves, causing holes in the leaves to form and they turn very brittle.

This bug looks like a caterpillar and it needs to be removed. So, using insecticides or even introducing predators will do the trick.

Leaf Roller

Leaf roller is a small insect that goes from being a larva to a moth. It feeds on the leaves within the rolls and it has a very specific way in which it feasts on the trees. Again, this insect is not majorly effective on Hickory trees, but still, it should not be there.

You can use pesticides and prune the leaves and tree branches timely in order to ensure that the tree is healthy and free from this bug’s infestation.

Conclusion

Hickory trees, just like any other tree on the planet, can be subjected to damage and pest infestation. So, if your Hickory tree is showing signs of disease or damage, consult arborist services Kensington for help.