Powdery Mildew in Alabama: Identifying and Treating this Common Tree Disease with Ace Tree Services
Powdery mildew is a common plant disease that can affect trees and shrubs in Alabama, including the Birmingham and Huntsville regions.
Ace Tree Services is dedicated to helping our clients understand and address powdery mildew, including its causes, effects on trees, and how our company can assist in combating this problem.
What is Powdery Mildew?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is easy to identify due to its distinctive symptoms. Infected plants display white, powdery spots on their leaves and stems, with lower leaves being the most affected. However, mildew can appear on any above-ground part of the plant. As the disease progresses, the spots become larger and denser, and the mildew may spread along the plant. In Alabama, powdery mildew is commonly found on crape myrtles, euonymus, and dogwoods.
The fungal spores responsible for powdery mildew thrive during periods of high humidity, warm days, and cool nights, with ideal temperatures ranging between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Advanced infections can cause buds to remain unopened, leaves to become distorted, discolored, or fall prematurely, and fruits to develop blemishes or abort early.
How Can Ace Tree Services Help?
Ace Tree Services offers various strategies to help Alabama residents manage powdery mildew on their trees and shrubs:
Cultural practices: Many powdery mildews are more unsightly than harmful. Good sanitation is crucial to reducing infections in the future. Remove diseased leaves as soon as they fall, avoid composting or using them as mulch, purchase disease-resistant plants, and plant in well-drained soil with proper spacing to ensure all-day sun and good air circulation.
Preventive measures: Avoid working among plants with wet foliage, as this can promote the spread of powdery mildew spores.
Chemical control: While chemical control may not be necessary for most cases of powdery mildew, some plants may require protection. Successful chemical control involves applying fungicides correctly and at the right time.
By providing valuable information and practical solutions, Ace Tree Services aims to help maintain the health and beauty of Alabama's trees and shrubs in the Birmingham and Huntsville regions. Trust Ace Tree Services for expert guidance and assistance in combating powdery mildew and other common tree diseases in Alabama. Call an ISA certified arborist from Ace Tree Service at (205) 332-7757!
