Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt is a common fungus of plants that originates in the root system and multiplies in the living tissue of the host. In Minnesota the most common species to be affected are the maple varieties. Of the maples the silver maple seems most resistant while the sugar maple is the most disease prone. This fungus, like many fungi, prefer wet and warm climates and thrive during our late fall season.
A very distinctive flagging of this disease is a white spotting on the trunks. This vector carrier is called a lichen and is very common on many trees. Since the disease is spore spread lichens can attach to trees and carry this harmful fungus to different trees near a host tree.
Unlike many other wilting diseases this disease is usually progressive and takes more time to affect a tree. In some cases the disease takes shape very quickly. As you can see in the picture on the right the fungi were able to destroy the living tissue in a section very quickly and the leaves turned brown and will fall off the tree. This one-sided characteristic is common for verticillium wilt.
The staining of the wood, in the picture on the bottom right, is another good indicator of this disease. But since the staining also resembles another fungus, called anthracnose, it needs to be ruled out before coming to a diagnosis that your tree has verticillium wilt.
Treatment
This disease is very deadly for maple trees and should be diagnosed carefully. It is easy to mix up with a number of different problems like anthracnose, root girdling and other environmental factors. Have a professional look at your maple tree to see if a treatment program is available. All treatments are done with the finest chemicals from Arborjet. Call or email us today.
Staining of wood from verticillium wilt
Verticillium wilt in sugar maple
Mouse over the picture on the left to pause one of the field images taken by us.
Here is what you should be looking for
White spots on the trunk and limbsTree dying off in canopyLeaves turning yellow or orange
Brown streaks in wood
