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2 Tree Diseases That Can Strike The Western Larch

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Western larch trees are large, colorful conifers that have pine-like green needles that turn yellow in fall, brown to red cones, and seeds that attract a variety of birds. The larch, which offers different color attractiveness throughout the year, is a great addition to larger homes in need of a combination of ornamental and shade tree.

Do you own a western larch already or plan to purchase a larch soon? Become a responsible tree parent by learning about the potential tree diseases that can strike the western larch and how a landscaping service can help maintain the beauty, health, and longevity of your tree.

Lachnellula Canker

Lachnellula canker, also called European larch canker, is an invasive, fungal-borne disease that can potentially kill the western larch tree. Cankers or sore-like burrows in the bark aren't uncommon due to a variety of tree diseases, but this particular canker is extremely distinctive.

The cankers have white fur-like material that grows around the perimeter of the canker sore. The wood in the center of the canker can start out an inflamed orange-red color before deepening to a sticky black. Cankers can stand alone on a branch or form clusters. The needles near the cankers will turn yellow prematurely and fall from the tree.

An infected western pine will need to be quarantined by tree care services to make sure the disease doesn't spread to other trees, particularly those that are young or previously wounded. The tree's health is then monitored to see if the larch can fight off the disease on its own or to see if fungicides can make any difference. If the cankers are able to damage the trunk and heartwood of the tree, you will need to call a tree removal service to safely and completely remove the western larch.

Dwarf Mistletoe

Dwarf mistletoe is a blanket term to refer to a variety of parasitic plants that function and cause damage in similar ways. The mistletoe grow out of the bark of a western larch tree, and the plant takes all of its water and nutrient needs from the larch rather than the soil. Distinct witches brooms, or spindly branch-like growths, will emerge from the bark throughout the infected tree.

If there are young larch trees in your area, and you have a severe mistletoe infestation, you will want to call in a tree removal service to eliminate your larch tree and its threat to other trees. Don't have any nearby larches and your tree is only beginning to show signs of mistletoe? Call a tree trimming service to remove the mistletoe and maintain the overall health of the tree. The mistletoe might still kill the tree but you can likely get a few more years of the tree before that happens. Contact a landscaping service like Greatland Tree Service for more advice.


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