Few ailments are as dangerous to your property’s trees as Hypoxylon canker, a fungal disease that may necessitate dead tree removal when left unchecked. This aggressive fungus generally afflicts wounded and vulnerable trees, rapidly compromising their structural integrity and strength. Therefore, understanding and detecting early signs of Hypoxylon canker onset is essential for maintaining your landscape’s health, beauty, and safety.
Bluemont, VA, homeowners seeking professional Hypoxylon canker treatment can turn to Timber Works Tree Care. Our certified arborists specialize in removing dead or infected trees. They also offer preventative care services, like land clearing, safety inspections, and stump grinding. Plus, we’re a liability-insured tree care company, which ensures you and your home are protected in the case of unforeseen accidents. Call (540) 254-5773 to learn more about common tree diseases and receive a free tree care estimate today.
Below, we discuss Hypoxylon canker, its effects, and how to prevent its spread on your property:
What is Hypoxylon Canker?
Caused by several Hypoxylon fungi species, Hypoxylon canker is a fungal disease that primarily affects oak trees and other hardwoods. Again, the fungi tend to attack trees already weakened by environmental factors (such as drought and root damage) and cause cankers, discoloration, and bark loss.
If an infected tree receives inadequate moisture, its disease will progress by invading its sapwood, disrupting its internal system that transports water and nutrients. As the fungi spread, bark sections may peel off to reveal cankers and spores. Hypoxalon canker can kill a tree within two years of its onset, leaving hazardous dead trees that can spread the fungi. Therefore, they require professional removal.
Signs of Hypoxylon Canker
Identifying Hypoxylon canker early is crucial for managing infected trees and preventing the fungi’s spread elsewhere on your property. Common signs of infection to inspect for include:
- Dying Branches: The first visible sign of Hypoxylon canker is dying branches, which often become leafless or dry and brittle, along with yellow or browning leaves out of season. This symptom strikes particularly hard in the tree’s upper crown.
- Peeling Bark: As the disease progresses, strips of bark will begin to slouch and eventually fall off, exposing the infected wood beneath.
- Fungal Spotting: A fungal mat with a silvery-gray coating and black and white spots will appear on the exposed wood, then turn dark brown and black as the fungus matures.
- Dried and Cracked Wood: Infection drains the tree’s moisture and causes its wood to dry out, creating structural weaknesses.
- Complete Tree Death: If left untreated, Hypoxylon canker will kill the infected tree, signified by peeling bark, falling branches, and a lack of growth. At the very least, dead tree limb removal will be necessary for safety.
Hypoxylon Canker Prevention Strategies
Preventing Hypoxalon canker requires maintaining your trees’ vigor, especially during droughts or other adverse conditions. However, proactive efforts such as supplemental watering and implementing cables or braces on weakened trees can boost their resilience to the fungi and maintain their overall health.
Managing Infected and Dead Trees
Caring for trees with Hypoxylon canker infections requires expert handling and equipment. Indeed, professionals may need to cut down a dead tree when:
- The Tree Appears Unstable: Tree structure may be compromised if significant trunk sections display cankers or large chunks of bark are falling off.
- Dead Branches Pose Risks: Large, dead limbs that reach over structures, walkways, or driveways present immediate hazards and require professional removal.
- The Tree Is Completely Dead: Dead trees become increasingly brittle and unpredictable, so they must be removed promptly.
- Neighboring Trees Show Symptoms: If many trees on your property show signs of infection, you may need a comprehensive management plan to manage the fungi’s spread.
Attempting to remove infected or dead trees without proper training or equipment can lead to serious injury or property damage. Contact certified arborists and tree removal specialists rather than handling Hypoxalon canker-infected trees yourself.
Dead Tree Removal Specialists Available in Bluemont, VA
Timber Works Tree Care protects Bluemont, VA, landscapes with comprehensive tree care services. Our team offers health management inspections, dead tree removal, and trimming options to ensure property owners receive the best possible tree care services. To learn how our arborists can enhance your property, call (540) 254-5773 today!
