While the Australian government does its best to protect the country’s trees from disease, there are still some common tree diseases to be aware of that you might need to call in the best tree loppers in Perth to help you. Here are some of those diseases.
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Spilocaea oleaginea aka Peacock spot
This is a disease that in particular affects olive trees worldwide damaging crops, delaying ripening, causing blemishes and limiting the yield of oil they can achieve. It is also a problem because even after the infection has been dealt with the health of the plant is dmaged for many years. Peacock spot does its worst when the temperatures are mild or colder and when the plant leaves have moisture.
It shows up as blotches on the leaves that are sooty in appearance that can become black circles measuring 2.5mm to 12mm. Sometimes there is also a yellow outline. It can be treated with a copper compound spray once the olives are harvested and then again in the late winter.
Austropuccinia psidii aka Myrtle rust
This came into the country from South America in 2010 from an unknown source and has become a serious problem. This is despite the government having an emergency response plan that included quarantine, removal of diseased trees, spore trapping, fungicides and buffer zones. There is a serious risk that this disease could change entire ecosystems.
It shows up as bright yellow spots on the leaves that are powdery in appearance then turn grey or brown before the leaf dies. It is such a problem because the spores can travel far and contaminate not just other plants but clothing, vehicles and equipment too. You would need an arborist or the best tree loppers in Perth in order to deal with it.
Phytophthora megasperma aka Root rot
This is a hard one to diagnose as it is the decay or rotting of the tree’s root system. It can be caused when there is poor drainage and then the soil becomes oversaturated, or when there is a fungal pathogen. It kills trees quickly and is very hard to cure. The best way to approach it is to prevent it in the first place with proper drainage and well-cultivated soil.
It can be identified when trees have leaves that look small, wilted or discoloured, and the branches can be decayed and weak. Cankers may be apparent and the sap may ooze. It is best dealt with by an arborist or other professional tree service.
Erythricium salmonicolor aka Pink disease
This has been found in a large number of trees including African mahogany, citrus trees and teak. It is caused by a fungal pathogen spreading spores that carry to animals, people and more. It is a serious issue for citrus farmers in Australia who are losing a lot of their crops to this disease.
When a tree has Pink disease it grows inside the bark and then makes it swell and then split. Eventually, the tree will die and if the conditions are humid or rainy the disease worsens. When you hire the best tree loppers in Perth to remove branches or trees with Pink disease they should burn them to stop it from infecting anything else.
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