If you live in South Carolina and have trees on your property, it pays to know the common tree diseases that affect trees, so you can identify and treat infected trees promptly.

Here, we examine five of the most common tree diseases seen by the arborists at Schneider Shrub and Tree Care tree services in Easley, SC.

5 Common Tree Diseases in South Carolina

Oak Wilt

Oak Wilt occurs from a fungus that attacks oaks and other hardwoods. These tree diseases spread from tree to tree via root grafts or through the ground in contaminated soil or water.

Symptoms include wilting leaves and branches, discolored sap, and stunted growth. Call an arborist immediately for treatment advice if you notice any of these signs.

Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch Elm Disease occurs due to a fungus that invades the vascular system of elms, killing them quickly (within two weeks).

Symptoms include wilting leaves, branch dieback, and browning bark on stems near ground level. All parts of infected trees eventually die off unless treated early on with fungicide injections or systemic fungicides.

Southern Blight

Southern Blight is another fungal disease (part of the family of canker diseases) that affects maples, walnuts, and hickories. These tree diseases start as small water-soaked spots on tree trunks or limbs that turn brown and grow into large cankers that girdle limbs or kill entire trees if left untreated for too long.

To prevent Southern Blight from spreading to other parts of your yard, keep other nearby trees pruned so they do not touch infected ones directly or indirectly through shared roots.

Verticillium Wilt

This fungal infection causes leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely. You’ll most often find it in plants with shallow roots that grow in compacted soil or mulch areas where water can collect after heavy rains. Verticillium Wilt can also cause entire branches to die back if left untreated for several years, so if you see signs of this disease on any trees on your property (especially if they’re near mulch), get them checked out as soon as possible!

Powdery Mildew

Powdery Mildew is a common disease affecting trees in South Carolina.

This disease occurs due to rust fungi that affect trees and plants. It usually appears as white or gray powder on the plant’s leaves, stems, and fruit. The fungus spores spread quickly and easily through wind, rain, insects, and other methods.

It’s essential to keep an eye out for this disease because it can cause serious damage to your trees if left untreated.

Contact Your Trusted Local Tree Care Service for Help and Advice

If you have infected trees on your property, contact Schneider Shrub and Tree Care for assistance.

We are an experienced team of tree care experts who will help you make the right choice for your trees, including deciding what to do with a partially uprooted tree.

We provide various services, including trimming, pruning, and removing diseased or damaged trees. Call 844-260-0303 to schedule a free consultation regarding tree diseases in Taylor, SC, and the surrounding areas.