If you’re unsure about why your trees are looking unwell, we’re here to help with professional, science-based solutions for Tree Health and Maintenance. Often, when a tree is afflicted by pests or disease, the underlying issue is related to environmental stress or other factors that weaken the tree, with pests acting as secondary agents. At Oakstead, we take pride in the “detective work” involved in diagnosing tree health issues. Richard and Jon are dedicated to identifying the root cause of the problem and guarantee their best efforts to find a solution. Our approach includes a systematic review of abiotic factors, such as Soil Health & Root Care, and biotic factors, like pests and diseases. When necessary, we can also conduct laboratory analysis to support our findings. Whether the issue is immediately apparent or requires deeper investigation, we deliver accurate Tree Disease Diagnosis and tailored recommendations for treatment.
If treatment is needed, we incorporate the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) into our approach. This means prioritizing less invasive, environmentally friendly methods, such as improving Soil Health, applying Fertilization & Soil Amendments, or adjusting tree care practices like Tree Pruning & Trimming. These holistic solutions are often sufficient to address most pest and disease issues. However, if further action is required, Jon, as a Licensed Pesticide Applicator, can apply targeted treatments to manage or eliminate the problem effectively. In addition to diagnosing and managing diseases and pests, we provide ongoing Vegetation Management services to maintain tree health and resilience over time. At Oakstead, our goal is to deliver science-based care that enhances the vitality and longevity of your trees, ensuring they remain a valuable part of your landscape.
Common Issues
Below, you’ll find a short gallery of common issues trees face and a short assessment of them:
- When tree bark falls off it’s not a good sign, period. It may be as straight forward as an insect infestation or an environmental issue. It may be as finite as the tree is dying. We’d need to do a more thorough investigation into the area.
- Mushrooms and other fungi sprouting from the base of a tree often indicates rot. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation into the source of the potential rot. If we think the tree can be saved, which it often can be, we’ll provide medication and for the issue while removing the rotten area.
- These growths are called tree burls, and are caused by either stress or insect disruption. These can be dangerous as they may weaken the structure of the tree and eventually topple it. Removing the burl isn’t often a good idea because it become part of the integrity of the tree. We suggest trimming the canopy to ensure more stability.
- Leaf spotting generally isn’t a meaningful indicator of tree health, but it can be off-putting. Often it’s caused by fungi spores in the area that attach to the leafs and try to grow. These can often be easily treated by maintaining the area nearby.
- There are an infinite number of insects that can affect the tree’s health. This is a winter moth, they appear mainly between November and February. They cause defoliation which leads to killing the tree. The infestation can be treated if gotten to fast enough.
