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Trees are amazing additions to your garden or the front yard of your house. They don’t only look great, but they contribute a lot to the health of the planet. Well, Tamarack trees are no different either. If they are ignored, they may be affected by diseases which can also spread to other trees in the surrounding. So, you should hire arborist services for tamarack tree care and be aware of these common eastern larch tree diseases.

Tamarack Trees

Tamarack trees are very beautiful and pointy trees with needle-like leaves and tall trunks. They are skinny trees that kind of look like pine trees especially when the length of the tree is compared, although the leaf shape can be different.

Also known as larch trees, Tamarack trees are usually found in Northern Canada and they are amazing trees when it comes to winter.

A lot of the time, trees need to be protected from winter and its damages, but that’s not the case for Tamarack trees. These trees are amazing when it comes to winter and they grow very easily. So, you can safely say that Tamarack trees are made for the chilly weather.

The only problem with Tamarack trees might be the fact that they’re too big for residential areas. See, these trees can go over 80 feet in height and that is amazing, but it is not exactly a typical residential tree.

If you want to plant a Tamarack tree, then you need to get your hands on some good, moist, and acidic soil. This is going to help the tree to grow very nicely in any weather. They say that the soil is key when it comes to planting any sort of tree, and that’s very much the truth in the case of Tamarack trees.

Also, when it comes to sunlight, Tamarack trees will use all that Mother Nature has to offer. Tamarack trees are not meant for the shade and in fact, they can grow very limp and lifeless in the shade. So, when it comes to light, then these trees need a lot to thrive and that’s amazing.

Tamarack Tree Problems

Tamarack trees are great and all, but there are some problems associated with them too. Here are all of the problems a Tamarack or Larch tree can face.

Rust Fungi

Also known as Hypodermella laricis, rust fungi is a disease that doesn’t necessarily kill the tree, but it sure does weaken it and that is just as bad. Rust fungi is identified by browning and reddening of the needles of the trees, but there is also one big indicator of this problem and that is visible when you look at the center of the leaf.

There will be a huge red, round growth of sorts smack in the middle of the place from where the leaves are growing out. That’s the rust fungi and that is what is causing the leaves to brown in the first place.

For this, you will need to remove it from the source or prune that part of the tree because it can spread. It cuts off the supply of nutrients to the leaves and that is why they look very lifeless. This fungus thrives in hot and humid weather, which is why it’s recommended that you don’t over-water the tree, especially when the weather gets sticky and musty. You want the trees to be as free from fungus as possible, which is why this step is necessary.

Poplar Leaf Rust

Poplar leaf rust is also in the same category as fungal problems in Tamarack trees, but the difference is that the leaves have a rusty appearance and there will also be flaky, rusty deposits on the leaves that almost look orange or red in certain lights.

This is also a very common problem in Tamarack trees, and this can also lead to the eventual death of the tree since it not only cuts off nutrient supply to the leaves, but the fungus can penetrate other parts of the tree and cause infestation there too. This is why it’s recommended that you remove any leaves that look affected. It will prevent any future infestation because the main problem starts with the leaves. So, if you remove them, then it will be a piece of cake to handle.

Also, you want to make it a habit to regularly spray the trees with fungicide. This is going to prevent any sort of fungus infestation in the future. A lot of people think that fungicide is bad, but if you use approved and safe products, then you will be good to go. You can also take help from tree cutting services Potomac for tree care, pruning, or removal.

Larch Case Bearer

Mostly, larch trees are affected by insects and pests. The larch case bearer is one of them. It is a small critter that looks like a gray moth and the adults are also very minute. However, these little flying critters pack a harmful punch when it comes to damaging the Tamarack tree.

The larch case bearer lays eggs during the summer time and when the larvae is big enough, that’s when the tree is hit with inexplicable damage. Immediately, you will notice the browning of the leaves and defoliation. This is bad because Tamarack trees are usually very lush and green and seeing them turn brown is just so awful and all that because of a small moth.

Afterward, the main problem, long and sizable, cigar-shaped pupae are grown on the branches of the tree, which are called cases. These are bad for the tree too, because they can lead to nutrient deficiency in the tree and it can penetrate deep into the tree and weaken it over time. This is why regular pruning and spraying of insecticide is important for the health of the tree.

Larch Sawfly

Larch sawfly is a wasp-like insect that doesn’t only pose a lot of threat to the Tamarack tree, but its eggs also do the same. The wasps lay eggs in the leaves of the tree and they’re pretty much invisible from the get-go. Afterward, when the eggs are hatched, green caterpillar-like creatures invade the tree and they’re hard to see unless you look close because it’s almost like they’re a part of the leaves.

The caterpillars eat away at the leaves and they also cause a lot of damage to the bar and branches of the tree. This is bad because once the bark is exposed, this is going to lead to irreparable damage to the tree.

So, the only way to get rid of these critters is to introduce predators in the trees. Birds will pick off the caterpillars and eat them and as for the wasps, regular spraying of insecticides is very important. It will kill the eggs before they have the chance to hatch and your tree will be in good health. Also, you want to keep the trees at a distance from each other, because this can also lead to a lot of infestation.

Conclusion

Tamarack trees are beautiful but that doesn’t mean that they’re safe from the onslaught of diseases and problems. Well, now you know exactly how to combat them. However, if the tree is severely diseased and can’t be saved, consult tree removal companies Chevy Chase.