How to get rid of tree fungus?

When you hear of fungus, you probably think of a moldy piece of cheese or a nasty black spot on the bottom of your shoe, not a beautiful tree. 

But did you know that one of the greatest threats to trees is actually a type of fungus? 

Yes, it is. And that’s why this post will lay down the different fungi types and how to get rid of tree fungus using different approaches.

Trees should be strong and healthy to stay alive. But unfortunately, the fungus can attack trees and weaken them, making them susceptible to disease or insect infestations. When this happens, it’s called “tree fungus.”

We know that the main reason why you’re here is that you want to know how to get rid of tree fungus the right way. Worry no more because we’re here to help.

But before that, let’s review some points about tree fungus!

Look for signs before you get rid of tree fungus!

There are many different types of tree fungi. Some are caused by bacteria, viruses, molds, and yeasts. Since there are different types, there are also different ways how to get rid of tree fungus.

The most common type is called Armillaria ostoyae, aka white rot. This type eats away at the wood inside your tree, causing it damage and weakening its structure until it eventually dies from rot.

If you see signs of tree fungus in your yards, such as mushrooms, molds, yeasts, or peculiar-colored spots growing near the base of your trees, it’s important to take action immediately!

But before you learn how to get rid of tree fungus, you need to identify what type of fungus is present on your tree. 

How to get rid of tree fungus with different types

There are various types of tree fungus and including the following.

• Lichens
• Heart rot (Mushroom Conks)
• Cankers
• Fire blight

1. Lichens

Lichens are acomprised of algae and fungi that live together to create a symbiotic relationship. They form on top of the tree bark and look like a white crusty material.

This type of fungus can be found on almost any tree, but they’re especially common on oak, ash, and conifers.

How to get rid of this tree fungus?

Option 1: You can simply remove them by wiping them off with a damp sponge or rag. If you have trouble getting rid of them completely, try applying some hot water to the affected area with a spray bottle.

Option 2: Use a mixture of water and bleach to spray over the lichen

Option 3: Spray your tree with salt water.

Option 4: Add copper sulfate crystals to water and spray onto affected areas. This works well for mosses as well as lichens.

If these alternatives don’t work, the last resort to get rid of tree fungus is to use recommended chemicals.

2. Heart rot (Mushroom Conks)

Heart rot is a fungal infection that causes the woody tissue of a tree to decay. The most common symptom of heart rot is the growth of mushroom conks on the tree’s exterior. These mushrooms are usually red or brown.

The most common way to get heart rot is by planting an infected tree. If you have an infected tree, don’t plant it!

How to get rid of this tree fungus?

The best way to treat heart rot is to remove the infected portion of the trunk, but this isn’t always possible and may even be dangerous if it’s close to your home or another structure. 

There is no definite and quick way to get rid of tree fungus, especially heart rot. If you need to treat heart rot with chemicals, several options are available by prescription from your local pharmacy.

Some common treatments include the following.

Option 1: Trunk injection. 

This involves injecting an anti-fungal solution into the heart-rot infected area of the tree’s trunk. You’ll want to do this at least twice per year for as long as it takes for your tree’s health to improve.

Option 2: Injection into the soil surrounding the tree. 

This treatment works by injecting an anti-fungal substance directly into the soil around where the roots of your tree grow from their trunks underground. 

In this way, they can absorb it more easily than they would if just sitting on top of the dry ground without any moisture around them!

3. Cankers

Cankers often begin as small brown spots on the trunk or branches. They can grow larger and progress to become sunken lesions. If left untreated, cankers can spread to other parts of the tree, causing it to eventually die.

There are several types of cankers, such as the following.

• Collar
• Butt
• Root
• Stem or branch
• Bark.

How to get rid of this tree fungus?

If you’ve noticed that your tree has cankers, you may be wondering what to do about it. Fortunately, you can perform a few simple steps to treat them and prevent future infections.

Step1: Identify whether the canker is on a branch or trunk. 

Step 2: If it’s on a branch, prune off that infected section of the branch and dispose of it properly. If the infection is on the trunk or main body of the tree, you need to eliminate that part as much of it as possible using an axe or saw. 

Note: Be very careful not to cut too deeply into the wood, or you could damage the tree’s vascular system and even kill it.

Step 3: Once you’ve removed all visible sections of the canker, disinfect your tools with bleach and water before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Treat the infected area with baking soda paste. 

• Mix up equal parts baking soda and water in a bucket and paint over the wound with this mixture. Let it dry completely before painting again. You may need several coats here. 
• Cover with tree wrap until new growth appears where there was once infection. This will keep other insects from entering through open wounds in your tree.

4. Fire blight

Fire blight is a devastating disease that can kill an entire tree. It’s caused by a bacterial infection and can spread quickly through the tree, killing its branches and leaves.

If you have a tree with signs of fire blight, it’s important to act fast! You will want to keep your eyes open for the following symptoms.

• Browning or blackening of leaves
• Cracking bark on twigs and branches
• Soft spots on the bark
• Fungal growth on branches

Fire blight is a disease that affects apples, pears, and other members of the rose family. It can be devastating to your trees, but it’s not necessarily impossible to get rid of this tree fungus.

How to get rid of this tree fungus?

If you’ve got fire blight in your trees, here are some tips for dealing with it.

• Remove infected branches from the tree as soon as possible.
• Cut off any leaves that show signs of infection. Look for any brown spots and dispose of them immediately.
• Spray the tree with copper fungicide every five days until all signs of infection have disappeared or been cut out of the tree. Be patient because this might take several months as maintenance.

Bonus tip: Grow resistant varieties instead, like Fuji, Gravenstein, Jonathan, McIntosh, and Winesap. By doing this, you’ll have lesser time worrying about how to get rid of tree fungus.

Get rid of tree fungus with the right knowledge!

If you’ve read this far, we hope you’ve learned much about getting rid of tree fungus.

The best way to guard your trees against fungus is to take care of them and make sure they’re healthy. This can be as simple as watering them regularly or as complicated as removing any dead wood on the tree. 

However, it still depends on the kind of tree you have and what its health needs are! Happy gardening and may your trees grow healthier!