Common Tree Diseases and How a Tree Surgeon Can Help
If your trees are starting to look unhealthy or you're noticing changes in their leaves, bark, or structure, it could be a sign of disease. As experienced tree surgeons in the UK, we understand the importance of early detection and expert treatment when it comes to protecting your trees and maintaining a safe outdoor environment.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common tree diseases, how to recognise the symptoms, and when to call in a professional tree surgeon.
Why Tree Health Matters
Healthy trees not only enhance the beauty of your garden or landscape but also provide essential environmental benefits, from improving air quality to supporting biodiversity. Unfortunately, like all living things, trees are vulnerable to disease. Left untreated, infections can spread quickly causing safety hazards and even leading to the loss of mature, valuable trees.
That’s where qualified tree surgeons come in, trained professionals who can identify, treat, and manage tree diseases safely and effectively.
Common Tree Diseases in the UK
1. Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)
A serious fungal disease that affects ash trees, causing leaf loss, crown dieback, and bark lesions. Ash dieback spreads rapidly and can kill trees within a few years.
Symptoms:
Wilting or blackened leaves
Lesions on branches or trunk
Crown thinning
Solution:
If caught early, a tree surgeon may prune affected areas. In advanced cases, safe tree removal services may be necessary.
2. Oak Decline
A general term covering various stresses and diseases affecting oak trees, often caused by pests, fungi, or environmental pressures.
Symptoms:
Yellowing leaves
Dieback of branches
Fungal growth near the base
Solution:
A tree health inspection from a local tree surgeon can determine the cause and best treatment plan.
3. Honey Fungus (Armillaria)
A destructive fungus that attacks the roots of trees and shrubs. It’s known as one of the most serious tree diseases in the UK.
Symptoms:
White fungal growth beneath bark
Honey-coloured mushrooms near the base
Foul smell and rapid decline
Solution:
Professional tree disease diagnosis is essential. Removal of infected stumps and roots may be needed to stop it spreading.
4. Bleeding Canker of Horse Chestnut
Caused by a bacterial infection that causes dark, sticky ooze to leak from the bark.
Symptoms:
Bleeding patches on the trunk
Leaf browning and early leaf fall
Dieback of branches
Solution:
Tree surgeons can assess the severity and carry out targeted crown thinning or selective pruning to prolong the tree’s life.
When to Call a Tree Surgeon
Recognising the early signs of infection can save you time, money, and the health of surrounding trees. You should contact a certified tree surgeon near you if:
Your tree shows unusual leaf colour or early leaf drop
There’s visible fungal growth or oozing on the trunk
Large branches are dying or falling
The tree leans or appears structurally unsafe
A tree surgeon can carry out a comprehensive tree health check, provide tree preservation services, and, if necessary, carry out tree removal with minimal disruption.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Tree Surgeon
1. Accurate Diagnosis
An experienced tree surgeon can quickly identify the type and extent of disease, using years of knowledge and professional-grade equipment.
2. Safe and Legal Work
From tree felling to disease treatment, qualified surgeons follow strict safety standards and are aware of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and local council regulations.
3. Long-Term Tree Management
Tree surgeons offer ongoing tree maintenance contracts, ensuring your trees stay healthy year-round and reducing the risk of future disease.
Book a Tree Disease Assessment Today
If you suspect your tree may be diseased, don’t wait and contact Gus Bishop Tree Services. Delaying treatment can make the problem worse and more costly.
👉 Contact us today for a free quote or to schedule a site visit.
For more information and expert advice, give our other blogs a read, here…