8 Common Tree Diseases in Northeast Ohio and How to Treat Them

A Northeast Ohio landscape without trees, shrubs, and plants would be pretty barren. That’s why they are the heroes of your yard. And while you may think nothing can hurt your plants, that’s not always true. 

In fact, trees, shrubs, and plants can be susceptible to tree diseases in Northeast Ohio. 

Plants are natural parts of your home landscape. But to keep them looking their best takes proper care. You don’t want them losing color or leaves or appearing as if they are unwell. That can make you and your yard look bad.

Whether you recognize your plants aren’t looking good or you’re concerned about their overall health, figuring out what’s wrong can seem like a research project. 

The last thing you need is to spend time you don’t have learning about your plant’s problems while they continue to decline. 

Let’s look at common tree diseases in Ohio, diagnosing tree disease and treating tree diseases so that you can better understand and recognize plant diseases in your home landscape. 

The Most Common Tree Diseases in Ohio 

Diagnosing a tree disease in Northeast Ohio is not an easy thing to do. It takes the eyes and expertise of a professional. 

The main causes of these infections are usually drought stress, poor soil quality, pollution, and climate change. Most issues arise from events that a homeowner cannot control. But there are cultural practices, such as watering, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning, that can strengthen plant roots and overall health to assist in preventing disease. 

This list of common tree diseases in Ohio can help you better pinpoint whether you need help or treatment. 

1. Root Rot

Root rot in a common tree disease in Ohio based on decay. You might not see where the damage originates — in the roots — but you may see yellowing or browning leaves or plants that fail to thrive and wonder what’s going on. 

The common reason this one comes up: improper watering. 

In fact, many people will see dying leaves and assume the plant is underwatered, so they water heavily, making the root rot worse. 

2. Leaf Spot

Seeing red or purple spots on your plant’s leaves? This common tree disease in Ohio could be bacterial leaf spot. 

Properly watering your plants is important to avoiding this spotty issue. Particularly, it’s crucial to avoid overhead watering; opt for drip irrigation instead. 

This disease can also impact plants that have been planted outside of the proper climate or hardiness zone. 

3. Powdery Mildew

When powdery mildew strikes, you’ll first see isolated patches of whitish, powdery growth on the surfaces of your plant’s leaves. 

Over time, if the conditions don’t go away, this common tree disease in Ohio can become more dense and may cover the entire leaf or plant. 

This disease tends to show up in shaded areas and when higher amounts of moisture are present. Moderate air temperature and high humidity, particularly in the face of poor air circulation, create favorable conditions.

Properly watering your plants with drip irrigation or irritation targeted at the roots and avoiding overhead irrigation can help you avoid powdery mildew. Early morning watering can help your plant dry out thoroughly in between waterings. 

4. Apple Scab

Apple scab mainly impacts apple trees in Ohio and is caused by a fungus. 

This common tree disease in Ohio thrives in wet, cool conditions, especially during spring and early summer. 

The fungus can infect leaves, fruits, and shoots, causing dark, olive-green lesions on the leaves, which can lead to premature leaf drop, poor fruit quality, and stunted tree growth. 

Proper care like correct pruning and using fungicides, or planting resistant varieties can help you better manage or avoid this one. 

5. Anthracnose

Your sycamores, oaks, and maples may be susceptible to several fungi that can lead to anthracnose. 

This common tree disease in Ohio likes wet, cool spring weather. You’ll see it show up as dark, sunken lesions on leaves, twigs, and branches, which can then cause premature leaf drop and damage to the tree’s overall health. 

Proper pruning and fungicide can help manage its spread. 

6. Twig Blight

This tree disease in Northeast Ohio usually affects younger branches and twigs, causing them to darken, shrivel, and even die. 

Twig blight typically shows up after wet, rainy weather. It may not kill a tree outright, but repeated infections can weaken it, making it more vulnerable to other issues. 

Pruning infected twigs and ensuring good air circulation can help manage it. 

7. Black Knot 

Black knot is a tree disease in Northeast Ohio that can impact your plum and cherry trees. 

You’ll see it appear as thick, black, swollen growths on branches and twigs that can stunt tree growth and, if left unchecked, might cause branches to die. 

This fungus spreads through spores, especially in damp conditions. Control the spread of this one by pruning infected branches and properly disposing of them. A fungicide application in early spring can also help prevent infections. 

8. Rust 

The rust tree disease in Northeast Ohio can affect cedars, junipers, and apple trees. 

This is caused by a variety of rust fungi, but the most common is cedar-apple rust. You’ll see it come about in bright yellow-orange spots on the leaves, which can lead to defoliation and weak trees. 

This fungus has a pretty unique life cycle that requires two different host plants to complete — often a cedar and an apple or other fruit tree. 

Removing infected branches and nearby cedar trees can help control rust, while fungicides can be a great preventive. 

How to Treat Sick Trees

Unfortunately, once diseases occur in plants and you can see the damage, then reversing it is nearly impossible. 

Northeast Ohio homeowners can remove affected parts of the plant to an extent. Treating tree diseases by applying fungicides to the plants before the pathogens have the right environment to cause the disease is the most effective way to keep them looking their best. 

Opting for plant health care services is a great way to stay ahead of tree diseases and other potential issues that can negatively impact the future of your trees and shrubs.

Early control or prevention is key to avoiding prolonged damage. Turf Pride offers a six-visit program that includes the necessary applications to reduce disease activity and promote healthy growth. We research the timing of the applications carefully, so the products provide maximum benefits to the plants. In addition to using fungicides and fertilizers to keep plants healthy, we offer proper dormant pruning services to remove any unwanted or unnecessary growth. 

Stop Tree Diseases in Northeast Ohio Before They Start

Ignoring tree and shrub health is never a good idea. In fact, it can be more costly than paying to prevent issues. Once your trees and shrubs succumb to plant diseases or other stresses, the money, time, and stress it causes you to replace them can certainly add up. 

Chances are, you’ve invested in your Northeast Ohio landscape. Protecting that investment is important. 

Not sure where to start? Give Turf Pride a call. We can take care of these key assets in your landscape with complete plant health care services. The end result will be plants that add to your property rather than detract from it and don’t suffer from common tree diseases in Ohio. 

Want to improve your tree and shrub health and create a happier overall landscape? Turf Pride can help with tree care services in Northeast Ohio. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives you the most attractive landscape on the block.

Image source: Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Black Knot