Cedar trees are just so magnificent. They’re huge, they protect against different elements of nature, and they’re evergreen. However, there are also some problems with cedar trees that can create issues and make it a hazard. You should consult tree services if you see any of these problems and diseases in cedar trees.

Cedar Tree Problems

Insect Attack

This is a problem with most trees, let alone cedar trees, but insect infestation can really take the tree’s health from good to worse in no time. Whether it be crawling or flying insects, an infestation in the tree, especially small holes that can lead to wounds and other serious issues, can be really alarming.

This is why it is imperative that you keep an eye on the tree and make sure that insects are not causing any problems. You want to check under the leaves, bark, and branches of the tree to ensure that insects are not forming clusters and damaging the tree.

Now, some insects are pretty normal to see in cedar trees, for instance, ants and even beetles, but then there are some insects like crawling caterpillars and even moths that can lead to severe issues with the tree.

So, you definitely want to keep an eye out for those insects and if you want to prevent infestation in the future, then you have to spray the tree down with insecticide and if you really want to prevent future infestation, then introducing natural predators like birds will do the trick too.

Rotting Roots

The culprit in this case is Armillaria ostoyae fungus and if your cedar tree is young, then it is going to be more serious. Root rot is exactly what it sounds like. It is the weakening of the roots due to fungus and it is something that can happen really commonly in cedar trees, especially if they are in a very humid and moist environment with zero ventilation.

If the roots rot, then the tree will be done for and you should fell the tree. You don’t want to leave the tree as it is, because it is going to lead to problems and you will see that the tree is very fragile and unhealthy. So, you definitely want to consult a cedar tree specialist in this case and figure out what the best mode of action is.

Changing Color Of Leaves

This is also known as flagging. Usually, cedar trees have a very characteristic green color to their leaves, but if they suddenly start changing color and it’s not autumn, then that is a very serious issue. Flagging can occur due to multiple reasons. There may be some sort of root damage that can lead to nutritional deficiency in the tree.

There may be a water shortage or the sun might just be too scorching hot for the cedar tree to handle, hence leading to the changing of the leaves. What you want to do is figure out the root cause of the problem and then fix it. It will definitely bring your trees and the leaf color back to life.

Animal Damage

A lot of animals like raccoons, small critters, and even bats take residence in cedar trees. This is something that doesn’t seem that serious, but it can turn into a disaster very soon. These animals don’t necessarily harm the tree on purpose, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deteriorate the tree any further either.

Animals living in trees can cause a lot of root and bark damage. The animals rub against the tree, they dig up places in the tree, and a whole bunch of other things and this can cause a great deal of issues. This can turn the tree into a hotspot for problems and then it will damage the tree to a great extent.

So, you want to check for any wounds or signs of damage in the tree and act accordingly. If the damage is minor, you treat the wounds. However, if the damage is extensive and the tree could fall, hire tree cutting services Bethesda for removal.

Twig Blight

This disease is most commonly found on the twigs or branches of cedar trees. You can tell if a cedar tree has twig blight when you see that the branches or twigs are turning a weird color and they also exhibit dieback.

This is caused by a fungus in the cedar tree, but it is not something so serious as long as you can spray the tree down with fungicide and take care of the tree. Regular inspection will save the tree from twig blight and your tree won’t look lifeless or dull, which is great.

Cedar Rust

Rust in trees? Well, in cedar trees, you can expect almost anything. Cedar rust is actually a type of disease that can be caused by either a fungus or an infection in the tree and it can lead to the growth of galls that are very similar in color to rust.

They can be brown, black, and reddish in color and a way to get rid of them is to cut off the affected area of the tree. This is going to prevent further spreading of the disease and it won’t lead to the formation of spores either, which is amazing.

Moldy Tree

There can also be mold on the bark or the twigs of the tree and that is something that can really alarm you as well as affect the tree badly. The most common type of mold that can occur in cedar trees is sooty mold. This happens when the cedar tree is afflicted by aphids or moths and they secrete a very sticky substance known as honeydew.

This is what leads to the production of a blackish mold on the tree and it is very unappealing to look at. If you can control the infestation, then mold won’t be an issue either.

Stress Due To Drought

Cedar trees, like a lot of other trees, need water to survive. If you think that a cedar tree is a cactus and it doesn’t need any water to survive, then you’re sorely mistaken. Cedar trees can turn lifeless and very brittle because of not getting enough water and that is something that can really make the tree go from beautiful to nothing in no time.

So, even if there is a drought, you want to ensure that you’re protecting the tree from damage and ensuring that it is not losing its health in a drastic way because that could be detrimental.

Bark Damage

The bark of the tree is probably the most important part and if there is any damage to it, because of the environment, the weather, or anything else, then that is really serious. You definitely don’t want to take bark damage lightly when it comes to cedar trees.

There can be lots of very important things behind the bark that it is supposed to be protecting, so you don’t want the first line of defense to be affected in any way. This is why you have to check for damage and then consult with a tree professional accordingly.

Conclusion

If your cedar tree looks a bit worse for wear, then you know that these could be the problems. Before it causes damage to your property or harm someone, call in tree removal services Kensington to cut down the tree.