The harsh winter weather can prove to be tough on trees and shrubs. But you can help protect your plants and give them a fighting chance to flourish in the spring. Learn more about the various winter tree and shrub diseases and what prevention and treatment options work best.

Winter Tree & Shrub Diseases

Even as many plants have lost their leaves and are tapping into stored energy to survive the season, the harsh winter weather can still wreak havoc. Here are a few common diseases they deal with this time of year and how you can help.

1. Winter Burn. Evergreen trees and shrubs lose moisture through their leaves and can’t always absorb as much from the frozen ground. This imbalance can lead to brown, scorched foliage. Mulch around the base of evergreens to help retain water and insulate the soil.
2. Powdery Mildew. This common fungus presents as a white, powdery substance on leaves. Prune the infected branches to help prevent spreading. Also, keep proper spacing in mind when planting. Trees and shrubs need enough air circulation to thrive and keep fungal growth at bay.
3. Cankers. Tree cankers are another type of fungal disease that stems from damaged bark or an open wound. These lesions can be prevented with sufficient water to help reduce stress and by following proper pruning techniques using sterilized tools.

While proper plant care and regular maintenance is your best chance of preventing many of these common diseases, there’s still a chance your tree or shrub could become infected this winter. If this is the case, it’s best to contact a pro who knows the best treatment options.

Professional Plant Care

If you’ve done your part to help prevent tree and shrub disease and still see signs of an issue, do yourself and your plant a favor and contact Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape for help. Timely treatments are key when it comes to stopping the spread of disease. Let our landscape specialists put a proactive plan in place to fortify your property for a safe and healthy season.