I am not a tree
expert but when I saw that there was something wrong with my willow
and mimosa tree bark I knew it was not normal. The bark had cracked
open and separated leaving a hole that allowed insects to go inside.
I treated the area infection with organic pest control but it had
little effect on the problem. Within a week my mature mimosa tree
subcombed to whatever had infected it and died. My pine, oak, and
silver maple trees were also infected with canker disease.
I love my trees and
was not willing to let them die just because we have the no chemical
rule in our yard and garden. So I called a tree expert and met with
him yesterday. Learned that the trees were infected with Canker
disease which is a fungus.
If I lose
these trees to canker disease and termites then the autumn season
will not be the same. Hoping that we caught all in time.
The expert on closer
examination found that the trees had termites too. They had gotten
into the tree from the open wound on tree branches and trunk that
had become infected with fungus.
I agreed to the
treatment for my trees, it was a chemical but I had to do it or I
would lose all 8 mature trees in my yard. The tree expert will check
back at the end of the month to see if further treatment is needed. He
told me that once the tree becomes infected it may take up to 4
treatments to get rid of the termites and kill the fungus.
Know that for the two
trees that we cut down yesterday, the wood needed to be disposed
of, and the stump and surrounding area needed to be treated to put a
stop to the spread of fungus, bacteria, and termites.
