Diseases of Summer

What is a disease?

     Just like a disease that a human being gets, trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns get diseases too. Fungi, bacteria or some sort of pathogen forms, for various reasons, and then grows into a problematic disease of wood tissue, leaf tissue or turf tissue. These diseases that form can be very bad, but also not too bad at all and more unsightly than anything.

 How do diseases form?

     As stated above, diseases start with the fungi that form because of several reasons. Possibly it’s too wet, maybe hot, maybe the soil is infected, etc., and after forming, it’s up to you if you’re going to try to treat it or not. The degree of infection is important in determining treatment as well as importance of the specific plant material. Are you really going to treat something out in the woods? More than likely not, and in my opinion, you should just let nature take its course.

What should I do about a disease?

     Considering my company is one that treats ORGANICALLY, preventative measures are much different from NON-ORGANIC treatments. Non- organically, you can treat preventatively with nasty chemicals, treating on what you think “may” occur. But organically, we look to prevent issues by strengthening the plant material with organic fertilizer, IPM (integrated pest mgmt.) and healthy pruning. Feeding the soil is extremely important, and by feeding and building the soil, in turn and in time, you feed the plant. Amending the soil is very important as well.

What kind of diseases form in the growing season?

     There are many diseases that form for different reasons. Anthracnose forms on dogwood leaves when spring conditions have been wet and temps warm to hot. Powdery mildew forms on dogwoods to, and also on other plants like lilacs. Bacterial Leaf Scorch is a deadly disease that forms, especially on oaks, mostly in the red oak family, and is spread from tree to tree thru leaf hopper insects. Let’s not forget the newest, very troublesome disease, Beech Leaf Disease. It is very deadly and killing our beautiful Beech trees, both American and European. These are just a few mentioned, but there are so many more.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch

Beech Leaf Disease

What should I do with my property and plant material?

     The answer is simple…listen to what the expert tells you, keeping in mind their credentials and education/experience in this field. If you’re leery of the information given, and sometimes you should be because there are far too many charlatans out there just looking to make a buck, do some research. And when you see what the issue is, as said above, gauge the importance of the plant material affected and the severity of the disease present. Good luck.

 *** Plant Health Organics is a 100% Organic land care company serving Central NJ and Bucks County PA. We are PROUD of the work we do and know full well that what we do is BEST for you and our world. Contact us at 908-335-0553***                    

-Joe Gentile, Owner Plant Health Organics, LLC