June Wisdom from the Trees 2014

June Wisdom from the Trees 2014

Tree of the Month
Hawthorne • Crataegus sp.

by Gilbert A Smith
ISA Certified Master Arborist

Thirty five years ago this month Lesley, my pretty young bride, stepped out from behind a Hawthorn and right there we were married in the middle of a grove of Downey Hawthorns in full flower. Every year when the Downeys dress up in their creamy, white clusters of daisy like flowers, we remember that happy day. If you were to pin me down I might say that the Downey Hawthorn is my favorite tree.

Here are the other reasons I like it...

Read More

Fungal Diseases Abound on Trees - Spring/Summer 2013

July 2, 2013 • Plant Health Care ALERT!

The extended cool temperatures (ranging from 50°F to 60°F) and wet and rainy conditions that are and have been prevalent throughout our spring season are going to create abundant fungal disease symptoms this summer.

OakAnthracnoseW.jpg

By clicking on the names of the diseases below you can get to our abstracts that explain these diseases in detail.

Anthracnose, seen predominantly on both Ashes and Oaks

Oak Anthracnose by Lesley Bruce Smith

AshAnthracnoseW.jpg

 • Apple Scab on Crabapples and Apple trees

Cedar Hawthorne Rust on Hawthornes and Cedar (Juniper)

AppleScabW.jpg

Even those who have had preventative treatments will most likely see symptoms in lesser degrees. This will be most evident with the Crabs and Hawthorns and it may be alarming to see leaves yellowing and falling early but what we focus on are the leaves still on the tree. We are trying to prevent damaging loss of leaves with these fungal diseases and because of the mild weather the trees have put out a huge crop of leaves and so even though they are losing some they have plenty to remain healthy. The record setting rains have made elimination of these fungal diseases impossible this year.

As always, if you have any additional questions on these

please do not hesitate to contact us,

Yours for healthy trees,

Gilbert, Lesley and the Arborsmith Staff

Other information on fungal diseases:

Diplodia Tip Blight on Pines

Dothistroma on Pines and Rhizosphaera Needle Cast on Spruces