Correctly diagnose and treat tree disease
A tree disease can have various causes: fungus or mite infestation, pests or damage caused by bacteria.
A tree's disease can have several causes. It is often caused by pests, but damage can also be caused by untreated frost and storm damage. They open up the possibility for parasitic organisms to settle and weaken the tree.
Tree diseases on fruit trees
Fans of sweet cherries know the little white maggots that drill their corridors into the fruit and reduce the enjoyment of cherries. The culprit is called the cherry fruit fly. This insect flies in early May to early June and lays its eggs on the cherry fruits that are just turning yellow.
After a few days, maggots hatch and feed on the pulp. The fruits become dull and often fall off. After 30 days, the larvae are fully grown and leave the fallen cherries. They dig themselves into the earth and pupate in order to start the cycle again in the next year.
The codling moth is also a pest that causes problems for many fruit trees. Not only apple trees are affected, but also pears, apricots, quinces, peaches, plums, chestnuts, cherries and walnut trees. The moth lays its eggs on the leaves and bark of the trees. After one to two weeks, the larvae hatch and dig into the fruit.
You can easily recognize the infestation of codling moths from the feeding alleys with excrement residues in the fruits. The larvae are usually located in the core of the fruit. The fruits often fall off prematurely. The adult larvae spin under the bark on the trunk of the tree and pupate.
The apple tree is quite robust, but diseases can still occur. Use …
The frequently occurring pear grate (pear pox mites) is noticeable through unmistakable, orange-colored spots on the tops of the leaves of the pear tree. The undersides of the leaves are also thickened. This is where the spores of the fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae develop. This type of mushroom changes host in winter.
The fungus overwinters on two types of juniper: the Sead tree and the Chinese juniper. The spores overcome distances of up to 500 meters with the help of the wind. The juniper plants don't even have to be in the same garden for the interaction to take effect. Young pear trees in particular are damaged in their development by pear grids.
Damage to deciduous and coniferous trees
The most well-known tree disease in deciduous trees concerns the horse chestnut. If your chestnut tree is already showing brown leaves that are falling in the summer, the horse chestnut leaf miner is at work.
Another common tree disease is tree cancer. This tree disease is not a proliferation of the branches or the trunk, but the tree is attacked by pustular fungi. In addition to fruit trees, red beeches, ash trees, birches, elms and oaks can also be affected. Trees damaged by frost are particularly susceptible to this type of fungus.
| description | Appearance |
| Cherry fruit fly | Maggot-eaten, pierced fruit that falls off |
| Codling moth |
Feeding tunnels in the fruit Maggots sit in the core |
| Pear grate |
Upper side of the leaf with orange spots Underside of the leaf with bumps |
| Horse chestnut leaf miner | Foliage turns brown and falls off in summer |
| Tree crab | Crusty thickenings on the trunk and branches |
Treatment of tree diseases
When combating pests, you should always give preference to natural means for the benefit of nature. Get the advice of a professional in diagnosis and control. With the help of pheromone traps, parasitic wasps or nematodes, you can often get rid of pests on the tree in an environmentally friendly way. Chemical clubs often harm beneficial organisms, such as bees.
Extended periods of drought, frost damage or wind breaks weaken the tree population. This also promotes the nesting of parasites.
All parts of the tree can be affected, for example the root region from an ant burrow. The bark and trunk are doing themselves Beetle and other insects amicable. Butterfly larvae, mushrooms and species of mites feed on leaves and fruits.
You should therefore not lose sight of your tree population and take care of any damage to the trunk or branches professionally. In the event of a fungal attack, it usually helps if you cut off the infected parts or saw off into healthy wood.
Against Ants or certain types of larvae help sticky tree cuffs that are placed around the trunk. Find out about the best times and strategies to combat it from a specialist.
| Tree disease | treatment |
| Cherry fruit fly | Pheromone traps in the southern crown area |
| Codling moth |
Attractant traps in the tree, Tree cuff against larvae |
| Pear grate |
pick the first infected leaves, Eliminate infestation on winter farmers |
| Horse chestnut leaf miner |
Burning leaves, syringes with active ingredient: Diflubenzuron before flowering (harmless to humans and animals) |
| Tree crab | Removal of the infected parts down to the healthy wood |
Disease Prevention Tips
Find out about particularly resistant tree species from the specialist staff while you are shopping. Choosing the right strain will save you a lot of work and hassle. You can also prevent tree diseases by choosing an ideal location.
Find out in which soil conditions the tree thrives best and ensure an optimal supply of nutrients. This gives your tree a good chance of dealing with all kinds of pests. In long dry periods, trees are grateful for an adequate supply of water. Regular, professional pruning also supports the health of your tree.
Most tree diseases are only dangerous for young trees or young shoots. Older, robust trees are only weakened if the infestation has persisted for several years. For most tree diseases there are now environmentally friendly control methods. If in doubt, consult a professional.
