Insect & Disease Control
Protect your trees from pests and diseases
Periodic inspections are essential for detecting pest infestations before they reach damaging levels.
You don't want to wait too long to discover you have a problem with your trees
Insects and diseases usually attack an already weakened tree. Trees that die or decline usually are suffering from a combination of stress factors, not just pests.
Resolving tree problems is about more than correctly identifying an insect or disease. Proper diagnosis requires a combination of experience, knowledge, and keen observation. You need to deal with the pests while strengthening the tree after finding the other contributing factor that led to the infestation.
That's why our arborists focus on first identifying tree pests and then recommending the best ways to deal with them and the other underlying problems.
Insects and other pests
Several species of insects may be present on a tree at any given time. While few, if any, are harmful, every species of tree has at least one insect pest that can cause problems.
Most insect damage to trees is the result of either feeding or egg-laying activity. Insects have complex life cycles—one stage may cause problems, while the next does not. Knowledge of the pests' life cycles is an important aspect of our identification and treatment of insect problems. Our arborists are trained to identify both harmful and beneficial insects, and know the extent of damage the plant can tolerate before any intervention is necessary.
Diseases
Most trees are susceptible to infection by at least one disease-causing fungus. Besides fungi, there are many other disease-causing organisms or pathogens.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to developing an effective treatment program to eliminate existing disease problems and prevent future outbreaks. At ArborNature, our arborists are educated in the science of plant disease prevention and control to ensure accurate identification and treatment of tree disease.
Common tree insects & diseases
Here are a few of the most common insects and diseases damaging trees in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina area.
Ambrosia Beetles
Ambrosia beetles are a group of wood-boring insects that introduce the ambrosia fungus into a tree's sapwood. The act of tunneling and introducing the ambrosia fungus can weaken the tree. Prolonged infestations may lead to tree decline and, eventually, tree death.
- crape myrtle, maple, oak, & pine
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a common fungal disease in shade trees that causes leaf spots and early leaf drop. In most cases, it is not a significant threat to the health of the tree. Treatment may be required, though, for trees that are newly transplanted or stressed.
- dogwood, maple, oak, & walnut
Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. It affects various plants, including trees and ornamental species. The disease is spread by insects and manifests by yellowing and browning leaf margins.
- cherry, maple, sweetgum, & sycamore
Scale
Scale insects are tiny sap-feeding pests known for their scale-like protective coverings. They eat by extracting nutrients from the sap, which can weaken a tree over time. These insects can infest and impact a broad range of trees, shrubs, and plants.
- magnolia, maple, oak, & shrubs
Southern Pine Beetles
Southern pine beetles are the most destructive insect pests of southern pine trees. They have destroyed thousands of acres of pines and continue to be the most significant threat to pine trees in our area. Early detection is crucial for effective control.
- loblolly pine & shortleaf pine
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