3 Diseases That Could Destroy Your Citrus Trees, and What You Can Do About Them
One of the most common types of tree that you can find all across the gardens of Australia is the citrus tree. Because orange trees, lemon trees, and grapefruit trees thrive in a warm climate, there is every chance that your garden could produce delicious fruits in the summer months that also add colour and beauty to your outdoor space.
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of citrus trees is that they can become easily diseased. Here's how to identify the main threats to your citrus trees and how to deal with those threats.
Citrus canker. Have you noticed that some of the leaves and fruits on your tree are beginning to develop a series of yellow lesions? If so, this could point to a case of citrus canker, which is an extremely infectious bacterial disease. Fortunately, the disease is not harmful to humans, but it will destroy your fruit, and can easily spread from tree to tree. The bacteria can spread via human clothing, across the air, and by birds as well, so if one tree is infected it is probably worth contacting a tree removal company to stop the infection spreading to all of the citrus trees in your garden.
Greasy spot. This fungal disease is fairly common among citrus plants, particularly pineapple and grapefruit, although it can affect other citrus trees as well. You will notice greasy spot because of oily blisters that first appear on the leaves of the plant and that then spread to the rind. The fungal spores that cause greasy spot can easily germinate amongst dead leaves under your tree, so a good way of proactively preventing this disease is by regularly raking up leaves from your garden. Otherwise, this disease is fairly easy to treat with a copper fungal pesticide spray.
Root rot. Root rot is difficult to spot initially because, of course, the roots of your trees are underneath the ground. By the time you notice the disease because of yellowing leaves and premature leaf drop, the disease could be in more of an advanced stage. Unfortunately, once the infection becomes apparent it is very difficult to save a tree and a tree removal company should be contacted to uproot the tree so the disease doesn't spread to other citrus trees in your garden. It is also important not to plant any other trees in the same spot as the uprooted tree.
For more information, contact a company like Kingdoms Tree Care.