Is your tree bark turning black? This can be a worrisome sign that something is amiss with your tree’s health. Determining the culprit of this new symptom can help you understand the best method for revitalizing your tree.
Benton Tree Service provides professional tree services in Covington, LA, and can help you understand what is ailing your tree.
Potential Reasons Tree Bark May Turn Black
Different tree species can have different colors of bark. For example, black cherry trees have dark, metallic-looking bark, while black ash trees have nearly black inner bark. But if you have recently noticed your tree’s bark turning black from an originally lighter shade, this might not be a natural occurrence but instead a sign of distress.
Here are a few reasons a tree’s bark might turn black:
- Sooty mold: Sooty mold can form when insects that are feeding on the tree leave behind excretions.
- Black fungus: Fungi can also turn tree bark black. Verticillium dahliae is a type of fungus that can inhibit the tree’s water and nutrient uptake, causing the trunk to turn black over time.
- Tree disease: A range of tree diseases can lead to bark discoloration. Fire blight, Verticillium wilt, bacterial wetwood, black knot, and gloomy scale are a few examples of diseases that cause bark to turn black.
- Insect attack: Black bark can indicate increased insect activity as well. Aphids, scale insects, and spotted lanternflies can all excrete “honeydew,” which is the substance that allows sooty mold to grow. Carpenter ants, bark beetles, and ambrosia beetles can also place significant stress on the tree, leading the bark to turn black.
- Storm damage: A tree that has recently experienced significant stress, such as from a heavy storm, can develop black patches as a stress response.
Determining the exact cause of your tree bark’s discoloration is important as you assess how to treat the problem. Tree diseases and fungal infections require specialized treatments, for example, while stress from storm damage may need a more comprehensive approach to resolve.
What To Do When You Notice Tree Bark Turning Black
If you have noticed your tree bark turning black, contact a tree professional to perform a health assessment. They can determine the exact cause of the discoloration and determine a treatment plan.
They may use any of these measures to restore your tree’s health:
- Pruning infected branches
- Applying fungicide, insecticide, or bactericide to kill the underlying problem
- Using cables and braces to stabilize a storm-damaged tree
- Trimming the impacted bark
Request Professional Tree Service in Covington
Tree bark turning black may not be a problem you can address on your own. You may need a professional treatment plan to manage the underlying issue and prevent it from recurring. Failing to take prompt action could lead to worsening dying tree symptoms, putting your tree at further risk.
Benton Tree Service offers professional plant care to revitalize your trees. Request an estimate from our experienced team today by calling 504-896-0820.