Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for some of the most common plant diseases.

Like all living beings, plants are susceptible to catching diseases. 85% of plant diseases are caused by fungal organisms. However, viruses and bacteria also attack plants and can compromise the health of the plant. A visible sign of a diseased plant is the presence of pathogens like fungus or nematodes on the plants.

The disease affects the health of the plant and results in low yield and eventual death of the plant. In this article, let us explore the common plant diseases and their treatment.

Apple Scab

Apple scab is a fungal disease that is common in apples and ornamental crabapples. Also known as Venturia inaequalis, this disease attacks the leaves and fruits. Common symptoms include:

• The development of pale yellow spots on the leaf’s upper side
• Development of dark velvety spots on the lower side of the leaf.
• Deformation and early dropping of infected leaves.
• Infected fruits develop scabby spots which are indented inside the fruit and may have velvety spores in the middle.
• Infected fruits become deformed and cracks appear in the fruits, which allows the entry of secondary organisms into the fruit.

The following conditions are most suitable for the development of Apple scab:

• Cool and wet weather of spring and early summer.
• The fungal spores are carried by wind or rain.
• The disease is most prevalent during temperatures of 55 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is another fungal disease that is caused by a fungus that belongs to the Colletotrichum genus. This disease is most prevalent in the eastern part of the United States. Anthracnose is a common plant disease that affects many species. The severity of the disease is so quick that it can turn a strong plant into organic waste within a few days. Symptoms of anthracnose disease include:

• Development of dark, water-soaked lesions on stem, fruit, or leaves.
• Presence of pink, gel-like spores in the center of the fruit.

This disease spreads during the winter season. Optimal conditions for its spread and development are:

• Cool wet weather. The fungus germinates in the presence of moisture.
• Spores grow at a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The spores are spread through wind, rain, insects, and garden tools.

Bacterial Canker

As the name indicates, it is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. This bacterium enters the tree through a compromised or injured bark. Injury may have occurred due to frost damage, or during the pruning process.  Bacterial canker commonly affects cherries and plums but can also cause disease in apricots, peaches, and other types of stone fruits. The common symptoms of the development of bacterial canker are:

• The appearance of the sunken, or gummy lesions on the trunk or twigs of the plant.
• Oozing of sour-smelling sap from the punctured areas of an infected tree during the spring season.
• The infected parts of the bark became darker with the appearance of a reddish-brown tinge. Those parts are moist when touched.

The bacterial canker infection is spread during the fall, winter, and spring seasons when the weather is cool and wet. Rain, water and pruning tools are the carriers of the bacterium.

If you fear that your trees and plants are suffering from plant diseases, then waste no time and contact American Tree Experts. We provide effective and proactive Disease Management for plants are trees. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services. We operate in Mont Clair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Here are 4 sure-shot signs your tree need cabling and bracing for support

Deeply rooted and mature trees are quite powerful and do not budge easily. However, some trees can become structurally weak due to disease or prolonged exposure to strong winds and other damaging environmental factors. Such trees need a little extra support to gain structural integrity and not be a risk to nearby properties and people.

Tree cabling and bracing is a proactive and preventive technique that involves the use of flexible steel strand cables to provide structural stability to the tree. As a result, the tree becomes less susceptible to damage from high winds, ice and snow. The tree remains upright and sturdy.

If you are wondering whether your tree needs cabling and bracing, look out for the following telltale signs. These signs are usually indicative that your tree is in need of extra support.

1. Storm Damage

• The force of the winds in a heavy storm can cause the branches or crotch of trees to split. A dangling branch is a safety hazard. It can be fixed with the help of brace rods and cables that can hold the damaged sections of the tree together. This extra support will enable the tree to heal and prevent trunk failure. Cabling a dangling branch will also restrict its movement during high winds. Hence, a tree that has suffered from considerable storm damage is an ideal candidate for getting cabling and bracing.

2. Presence of A V-Crotch Stem

• A v-crotch stem is a type of tree alignment in which two large stems come out of the same trunk, making a V-like shape. Due to the division of the trunk into two stems, there is little tissue to support either of the stems and both stems are structurally weak. Heavy winds can cause either or both stems to fall off.

To prevent the stems from falling off, cabling and bracing can be used to support the v-crotch stem. The tension from the cables provides additional support to the off-shoot stems and keeps them in their place when winds are blowing.

3. Severe Lean

• As trees mature, they may develop a natural lean towards the right or left side. Trees usually tilt on the side where they gain more exposure to sunlight. Trees with a severe lean present a safety hazard. Due to the shift in their center of gravity, they become less stable and a branch or stem may snap and fall on nearby property.

Soil erosion or storms weakens the trees anchorage into the soil. This can also cause trees to lean on one side. This is a particularly dangerous situation as trees can now fall on a nearby structure with a little push. Cabling and bracing the tree in the opposite direction can bring a balance to the three and make it more stable.

4. Overextended Limbs

• As trees mature, their vertical growth stops and they only expand horizontally. As a result, the limbs can sometimes outgrow the trunk and become too heavy to bear. Overextended limbs are wobbly and dangling and may snap during a windy season. Cabling and bracing can provide support to these overextended limbs and prevent them from breaking off.

If you spot these warning signs in your trees and plants, contact American Tree Experts for cabling and bracing services. Our experts will conduct a thorough survey of the trees and propose the right methodologies for bracing your plants. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of the services. We operate in Montclair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Experts reveal the secrets about plant fertilizers and their advantages and how they affect the growth

Soil is the major source of nutrients for plants. Even though most types of soils have optimum levels of nutrients for growing plants and crops, over time their level decreases. When soil becomes deplete of nutrients, it becomes barren and cannot produce healthy plants. Hence to replenish the soil and improve its fertility, fertilizers are added to the soil.

Fertilizers are basically add-on nutrients that are supplied to the plants to enhance their productivity. Fertilizers not only replete the levels of nutrients in the soil but also improve the water retention capacity of the soil and enhance its fertility. Let us take a look at the types, advantages, and importance of fertilizers to understand them better.

Types of Fertilizers

Fertilizers are categorized into the following major types:

1) Inorganic Fertilizers

These are industrially processed fertilizers that are made from chemical means. Inorganic fertilizers can be divided into the following subtypes:

a)Nitrogen Fertilizers

• • Nitrogen is the most important component for the development of plants. Chlorophyll – the green pigment found in chloroplasts – requires nitrogen for carrying out photosynthesis in plants. Nitrogen is also a component of amino acids and helps in protein building. Nitrogen fertilizers supply the requisite levels of nitrogen to plants.

b)Phosphorus Fertilizer

• • Phosphorous is a chemical compound that is found in the protoplasm of cells. It plays a critical role in cell growth and proliferation. Optimal levels of phosphorous are needed for the growth of healthy roots of the plants. Phosphorous fertilizers compensate for the deficiency of this important component.

c)Potassium Fertilizer

• • Potassium improves the immune system of plants and enables them to resist disease. It enhances the fruit yield and strengthens the root system. Potassium protects the plants during harsh weather and prevents them from wilting. Potassium fertilizers deliver the optimum levels of potassium to plants.

2) Organic Fertilizers

These are natural fertilizers that are derived from organic sources i.e. plants and animals. Organic fertilizers have a different mode of operation. They add carbonic compounds to the soil. These compounds enhance the organic matter of the soil, promote a healthy soil ecosystem and improve the physical and chemical properties of soil. Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly and are healthier than inorganic fertilizers.

Following are the most common sources of organic fertilizers:

• • Agricultural Waste
  • Municipal sludge
  • Industrial waste

Why Are Fertilizers Important for Plants?

Fertilizers are important for plants due to the following reasons:

• There has been an increased demand for the production of fruits and vegetables. To meet the demands of a growing population, it is important to replenish the soil with important nutrients so a healthy and hefty yield can be obtained.
• Fertilizers strengthen the immune system of plants and help them fight different diseases and pests. This reduces their need for insecticides and herbicides. This improves the overall quality of plant yield.
• Fertilizers result in healthier and stronger plants that are aesthetically appealing.
• They increase the depth of the roots, which leads to a stronger hold and greater access to the soil’s natural resources. Fertilizers also increase the water retention capacity of plants.
• Fertilizers result in stronger straws and stalks of the plants.
• Due to fertilizers, seed development is improved which results in better fruit production.

We have now understood the types and advantages of fertilizers. If you want to have healthier and disease-free plants in your garden, contact American Tree Expert. We provide customized organic and liquid injection fertilizers to meet the nutritional demands of your plans. Call us for a free estimate at 973 744-6091. We operate in Montclair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Important 5 advantages of organic fertilizers and their benefits you need to know

Organic fertilizers are made from the decomposition of organic waste i.e. plants and animals. Processed fertilizers that have a compost or manure base are also termed organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers deliver important nutrients to the soil, improve its fertility and help achieve quality yield. They have been a part of agriculture for ages. However, they were replaced (to a major extent) by inorganic and commercial fertilizers after the industrial boom in the 19th century.

As the advantages of organic fertilizers have become more obvious, the world is once again shifting towards the use of organic fertilizers. Let us take a look at the different benefits of organic fertilizers.

Benefits of Organic Fertilizers

Deliver Nutrients Slowly and Steadily

• Organic fertilizers break down slowly and steadily. They take time to leach in the soil, decompose and deliver the desired nutrients. This way, the plants are not overfed and they draw the nutrients according to their need. Contrary to this, inorganic nutrients behave artificially and decompose quite quickly. The overdose of nutrients can damage the plants and may burn them.

Because they decompose so fast, inorganic nutrients do not add much fertility to the soil either.

Improve The Health of The Soil

• Alluvial and loamy soils are naturally rich in nutrients and minerals. However, they lose some of their fertility due to over vegetation. The purpose of adding fertilizers is to replenish their depleted fertility. Organic fertilizers play a crucial role in improving the texture of the soil. They make the soil more porous which enables it to retain a greater volume of water and improves the bacterial and fungal activity in the soil. The overall health of the soil is improved.

The reason why inorganic fertilizers don’t contribute much to the health of the soil is because of the lack of carbon in their chemical composition. Carbon is needed for microbes and bacteria to derive energy and thrive. The chemical composition of organic fertilizers is similar to that of microbes. They contain all the important elements such as carbon, nitrogen, potassium, and nitrogen that are needed by microbes to exist in an environment.

They Are Safer For Human Consumption

• Organic fertilizers do not contain harmful chemicals. The plants that grow on these fertilizers are safer to consume. Inorganic fertilizers may contain certain harmful chemicals such as zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic. Through a process known as bioaccumulation, these harmful substances can deposit in larger quantities inside our bodies and cause certain diseases.

They Are Environmentally Safe

• As mentioned before, organic fertilizers decompose slowly and do not leach out when water is applied. They don’t run off with water, hence they don’t pollute water bodies such as rivers and oceans. Some Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers (EEFs) take in carbon dioxide to produce organic matter. This way, they reduce the concentration of CO2 which is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

Organic fertilizers also increase species biodiversity by 30%, leading to a healthier ecosystem.

Offer Great Value For Money

• Even though organic fertilizers are costlier, compared to commercial fertilizers, they are needed in much less quantity. They can result in considerable cost savings as they contain important nutrients i.e. Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (NPK) in abundant quantities and there is no need for additional supplements. If you use organic fertilizers, you may not require pesticides, which will save money.

We specialize in nutrient management at American Tree. Call us at (973) 744-6091 to get customized organic and liquid injection fertilizers for your plants to meet all their nutrient requirements. We provide services in Montclair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Tree Experts in New Jersey reveal the 5 most dangerous disease-causing plant pests

Gardening is a fun and productive hobby. It not only brings you closer to nature but also gives you fresh, home-grown fruits and vegetables. Disease-causing plant pests are the biggest threat to your garden. They not only destroy the product but can also cause several diseases to the plants. To save your garden from a pest attack, it is important to take precautionary measures and remain on the outlook of telltale signs of a pest infestation and the diseases caused by them.

To do so, educate yourself about the most dangerous disease-causing pests and how to identify them.

Aphids

Top of the list is aphids. They are small pear-shaped insects. They have long antennae on the front and two tubes on the rear side that come out from their abdomen. Aphids attack fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, flowers, and shade trees in North America. They damage the plants in the following ways:

• Alphids suck the plant sap that damages the leaves and foliage of the plant.
• They excrete honeydew on leaves that promotes the growth of sooty mold. This accelerates the spread of viral diseases.

If you fear an aphid infestation has taken place, do the following:

• Wash plants with high-pressure water
• Introduce predators of aphids such as lacewings, lady beetles, and aphid midges to the plant.
• Spray the plant with hot pepper or garlic sprays.

Cabbage Maggots

These parasites infest crops that belong to the cabbage family, such as Chinese cabbages that are grown in North America. The maggots are found in the roots, and they destroy the plant by eating it away. Cabbage Maggots also create passages for disease organisms. To deal with their infestation, do the following:

• Apply floating row covers over the plants
• Leave certain parasitic nematodes around the roots of the plant. They feed on Cabbage Maggots.
• Burn the roots of an infected plant to prevent the further spread of the parasites.
• Place wood ashes or red pepper dust around the stems.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies. They destroy the leaves and fruits by chewing on them. Their distinctive features are a harder head capsule, six legs in the front, and false legs on the end. Caterpillars thrive on fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and shade trees. To control their infestation on your plants, do the following:

• Introduce native predators and parasites
• Cover the trees with floating row covers

Colorado Potato Beetle

These beetles attack several vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, petunias, and cherry tomatoes that are grown in North America. Colorado Beetles have distinct yellow-orange bodies that are decorated with ten black stripes on wing covers. These beetles defoliate plants and kill the young plants. They also reduce the harvest of plants. To deter these pests:

• Apply floating row covers
• Introduce native parasites
• Spray the plants with neem oil

Mexican Bean Beetle

These beetles feed on cowpeas, snap beans, soybeans, and lima beans. Mexican Bean Beetle is commonly found in Arizona, Texas, Utah, and Nebraska. They are a quarter an inch long, oval in shape, have yellow-brown bodies, and their wing covers are decorated with 16 black spots. Mexican Beetles chew on the leaves of plants from underneath and leave a lacy appearance behind. To deter their growth:

• Apply floating row covers
• Handpick the produce
• Spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap
• Plant soybean nearby that acts as a trap crop

These home remedies for controlling pests have their limits. If a serious pest infestation has taken place then contact American Tree Experts. They provide professional pest management services in Mont Clair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Learn everything there is to know about tree cabling

Most people know the importance of strategic pruning for their tree’s healthy growth. However, if your tree has weak branches, structural defects, and V-shaped stems then pruning might not be beneficial. You should consider getting your trees cabled. Tree cabling is a support system to help your trees stay healthy and prevent damage in the future. We have written a beginner’s guide to get you to know more about it. Read about it below: 

What Is Tree Cabling?

• Using high-strength cables to support weak branches and promote their healthy growth is called Tree Cabling. Sometimes a tree is simply unable to support its own weight. At other times, the branches need correction so that they grow properly

Weak branches pose the risk of snapping especially during thunderstorms and thus damaging your property. Weak branches can also hinder your tree’s healthy growth. In all such situations, cabling the tree can effectively help your trees flourish better and keep everyone safe. 

Tree Cabling As A Support System

Tree cabling acts as a support system for your trees in a variety of scenarios. The three main reasons are: 

• Preventing Structural Issues: A healthy growing tree might develop branches that can pose a problem in the future. Tree cabling can help fix these branches in time, while they are still growing.

• Restoring A Damaged Tree: A tree may be damaged due to natural disasters or human intervention. In order to restore its health and promote healthy growth, tree cabling is used.

• Minimizing Risks In Healthy Trees: A healthy tree is growing without any noticeable defects. To prevent it from developing weak branches or structural problems.

Visual Inspections For Warning Signs

• It is very important to conduct visual inspections of your trees regularly. This helps you spot any warning signs that can prompt you to get it cabled. Most people cable their trees to make sure they are growing in the right direction. If you spot cracks in the bark of your tree stem or branches, it could point towards a structural weakening. If you notice two or more stems growing in a V-shape from a common point, this could indicate a potential weak spot. Similarly, branches that are growing upwards in a V-shape also require cabling. 

One of the most common warning signs is if you notice your tree leaning towards a certain side. If a thunderstorm or a severe windstorm occurs, your tree has the potential to be uprooted. Cabling will help prevent that from happening.  

Types of Tree Cabling Systems?

• Generally, all tree cabling systems require bolts, cables, and brace wire stops. There are two main types of systems. The dynamic system allows the branches some freedom of movement while preventing them from splitting. These are also very discreet and often blend in with the branches. 

Steel and rod systems utilize extra high-strength cables that restrict flexibility. They offer a better support system for trees that have serious structural issues and are at greater risk of causing damage. 

Hire A Professional Service

• Tree cabling is not as simple as it looks. It involves drilling holes in the tree bark and passing the cables at a calculated angle. This angle helps the cable exert useful pressure on the tree and thus increasing the overall positive effect. An improperly cabled tree is just as dangerous as a tree without any kind of support system. 

It is highly recommended to call tree maintenance professionals also known as arborists. American Tree Experts Inc. is a team of highly qualified and skilled arborists. We provide services to New Jersey. You can call us up to book your free tree assessment. Our experts will explain and suggest what tree cabling system is best suited for your trees. 

Here are a few benefits of pruning trees directly from tree experts in New Jersey

Trees like humans require regular maintenance. If not trimmed and pruned, they can become wild and distorted. Pruning is the process of selectively trimming certain parts of the plant such as buds, branches, and spent flowers. Pruning ensures preventive maintenance of the tree. Regular pruning is not only good for the health and appearance of the plant but also protects other plants, people, and property from injury. 

Pruning also prevents pest infestation. Let us take a look at the importance and benefits of pruning trees.

Why is Tree Pruning Necessary?

Improves The Health of The Tree

• All living things require care and maintenance. Pruning boosts the overall health of the tree. When certain parts of the tree don’t receive enough sunlight, they start to die. Pest infestation is another reason for the spread of diseases in the trees.  The diseases and dead parts of the tree are removed during the pruning process. This not only prevents the spread of the disease but also allows a better distribution of nutrients to the healthy parts of the tree. 

A well-pruned tree also allows greater circulation of air and more sun exposure. This promotes new growth, improves balance, and enhances the structural integrity of the tree. 

Improves The Structure and Appearance of The Tree

• Regular trimming can take off the excess load from the trees. This is especially beneficial for young and developing trees as it helps them form a sturdier structure and well-shaped limbs. The overall appearance of the tree improves as well.  

Overgrown trees give a wild appearance. The hanging branches can even make your home look like a haunted place and decrease the appeal of the property. Well-pruned trees not only look good but they make the nearby properties look sharp and proper as well.  

Prevents Safety Hazards From Occurring

• A lot of trees are planted in residential areas. Sometimes trees are planted quite close to areas of common use such as garages, sheds, homes, driveways, and footpaths. Some homeowners even hang swings for kids on trees. 

If these trees become too big and wild, they can present certain safety hazards. For e.g. overgrown branches can interfere with electric wires and start a fire. A weakened and overgrown tree limb can drop off during a storm and can crash over a home or some other structure. Likewise, a weakened tree limb may not be able to support the weight of a child on a swing and can come crashing down, causing massive injuries. 

• Hence, pruning trees prevents safety hazards from taking place in the first place as high-risk branches are removed in the process.

Food Production Increases

• It is recommended to prune trees during the late months of winter so that the tree is ready to bear fruit during spring and summer. A well-pruned tree usually bears more fruit as there is a surplus of energy and nutrients to supply to the healthy fruit-bearing parts. 

Brightens the Rooms

• Sometimes overgrown trees cast a gloomy shadow and block the entry of sunlight into your home. Pruning trees will allow more sunlight to enter your home and you can result in significant power and money-saving. 

Give You An Unobstructed View

• Overgrown tree branches can get in the way of your windows, balconies, and skylights. They can obstruct the beautiful view of the outside. Regular pruning will give you an unobstructed view of the outside. 

Tree pruning requires professional tree experts. American Tree Experts offer services for tree pruning in Montclair New Jersey and nearby areas. Call Us at (973) 744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services. 

4 signs of nutrient deficiency in trees that require immediate attention

All living things require nutrients and energy to thrive. However, the nutritional requirements for plants differ from humans and animals. Their nutritional requirements can be divided into the following categories:

• Macronutrients such as nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur. These nutrients are needed in large quantities for the growth and health of plants. 
• Micronutrients such as copper, manganese, molybdenum, boron, iron, and zinc. These are needed in relatively lesser amounts. 

Both sets of nutrients perform different functions and are important for maintaining the health and structure of trees and plants. Nutrient deficiency in plants can hamper the healthy growth and development of plants and can manifest itself in multiple ways. Look out for the following telltale signs of nutrient deficiency in trees: 

Nitrogen Deficiency

Nitrogen is one of the most important plant nutrients. It is a component of all plant fertilizers. Nitrogen is needed for the optimal growth of plants especially for the development of fruits and seeds. It makes the leaves healthier and bigger and increases the maturity of plants. The deficiency of this important nutrient can impede the growth of plants. Nitrogen deficiency manifests in the following ways:

• Plants start to lose their color and become light green. First, older leaves become yellow, and then younger leaves change their color as well. 
• If the deficiency goes on, the growth of the plants is stunted and secondary shoots grow poorly. 

Phosphorus Deficiency

It is another important plant nutrient that is needed for accelerating important plant functions such as:

• Photosynthesis
• Protein synthesis
• Seed germination
• Budding 
• bloom stimulation 

It also speeds up maturity in plants. Plants take up phosphorus in the form of phosphate. Common signs of phosphorus deficiency are:

• Older trees turn purple or bronze especially on the underside. This happens due to the accumulation and increased production of Anthocyanin pigment. 
• Plant growth is stunted and their rate of development is slowed down as well. 

Potassium Deficiency

It is the third important plant nutrient. It is found in all nutrients. Potassium helps in the manufacture of plant sugar. Energy is derived from sugar to perform important functions such as protein synthesis, root development, and mitosis. Potassium also strengthens the immune system of plants. 

Plants take up this important nutrient in the form of potassium ions. Since it’s a free radical, it can be dissolved in water and leached out of the soil easily through run-off. Hence, potassium deficiency can occur. Symptoms of potassium deficiency in plants are:

• The edges of the leaves become yellow. The death of the leaf cells occurs from the edge of the leaf to the midrib. This is called leaf necrosis. 
• The yellowing of leaves due to potassium deficiency is permanent and cannot be reversed even if potassium levels are stacked again. 

Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is an important component of the plant’s cell wall. It adds structure to the cell walls. It is also needed to produce new root tips. Unlike the above three primary nutrients, calcium does not travel in the plant and remains in specific parts of the plants. When a plant is deficient in calcium, it remains in the older tissue and is not taken up by the young plant tissue. 

Therefore, the symptoms of calcium deficiency first appear in the fresher and younger parts of the plants such as leaf tips. Calcium deficiency manifests in the following ways:

• Stunted and impeded growth of new foliage, buds, and roots. 
• Yonder leaves curl downwards and the leaf edges and tips become brown.
• Roots grow out to be short and thick. 

Organic and Liquid Injection Fertilizers are a suitable solution for nutrient deficiency. Contact American Tree Experts, Inc in New Jersey if your trees and plants are nutrient deficient. We can revitalize your trees by injecting them with organic and liquid fertilizers.