Effective Tree Disease Treatments in Bell

Common Tree Diseases Affecting Bell Properties

Citrus Greening Disease (Huanglongbing)

Residents in Bell who have citrus trees need to worry about a dangerous tree disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. HLB has been identified throughout Los Angeles County and in neighboring cities, and there is currently no cure for the disease. The Asian citrus psyllid carries the bacteria responsible for the disease as it eats on the leaves of citrus trees.

Disease symptoms of citrus trees include fruit that is miscolored, misshapen, and sour-tasting; leaves that are irregularly discolored or speckled and show an uneven pattern of yellowish-green spots, along with dead twigs and dropped fruit. It is very important to detect the presence of this disease as soon as possible and report it to the agricultural department so they can begin taking steps to manage the disease within the community.

For citrus greening, the focus of disease treatment is on prevention. In order to keep citrus trees free of the disease, you should regularly inspect your trees, properly care for them, and communicate with the agricultural department regarding any suspected disease issues. Because there is no cure for citrus greening once a tree has contracted the disease, trees that have been confirmed to have the disease will need to be removed to prevent the spread of the disease to healthy citrus trees in the neighborhood.

Sudden Oak Death

Sudden oak death, which is a disease caused by Phytophthora ramorum, has killed numerous native oak species across Southern California, including coast live oaks, which are common in the landscaping in Bell. This fungal disease has been devastating coastal forests in California since the late 1990s and has continued to move through urban areas.

Oak trees die from sudden oak death by developing cankers on their trunks that ooze sap. The trees then begin to lose their foliage and eventually die. To stop the spread of the disease to uninfected trees, treatment involves using good sanitation practices and avoiding wounding healthy trees. Additionally, tree health can be maintained by providing adequate water and nutrients to trees through the proper irrigation and nutrition programs.

Tree disease treatment for sudden oak death involves preventative treatments that have shown some potential in limiting the spread of the disease, although there is no cure for the disease once it infects a tree. Timely detection of the disease and rapid response to its presence are key to protecting the numerous oak trees located in Bell neighborhoods.

Eucalyptus Pest and Disease Issues

Bell properties feature many eucalyptus trees, which are subject to a variety of pest and disease issues. The eucalyptus longhorned borer beetle has damaged eucalyptus trees in Southern California since the 1980s. The beetles bore holes into the trunks of the trees and kill stressed or weak trees.

In addition to the eucalyptus longhorned borer, another major pest of eucalyptus trees is the red gum lerp psyllid. The red gum lerp psyllid produces a distinctive white protective cover on the leaves of eucalyptus trees and exudes sticky honeydew that can stain surfaces. Fungal diseases of eucalyptus trees, such as canker, heart rot, and anthracnose, are prevalent when the trees are experiencing environmental stress due to drought, poor drainage, etc.

Effective treatment for the diseases of eucalyptus trees combines the use of integrated pest management practices. Integrated pest management combines the use of cultural practices, biological control agents, and treatments as needed. When trees are provided with the right amount of water and nutrients, they are better able to defend against both pests and diseases.

Diagnosis of Advanced Tree Diseases

Evaluation of Tree Health

The first step in treating tree disease is to diagnose the cause of the problem. Certified arborists who are knowledgeable in tree pathology must perform the diagnosis because symptoms of tree diseases can often resemble symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, environmental stress, or other cultural problems.

A professional tree health assessment also evaluates environmental factors contributing to disease development, such as soil testing, tissue sampling, and pathogen identification. By diagnosing the exact cause of the disease, treatment for the disease can be targeted directly to the disease organism instead of being a general treatment of symptoms. In many cases, addressing environmental factors that contribute to the occurrence of the disease, such as poor drainage, irrigation schedules, sun, and wind, can be just as important as treating the disease itself.

Laboratory Testing for Tree Diseases

Accurate Laboratory Diagnoses

Many tree diseases must be diagnosed in a laboratory to confirm the presence of the disease organism. Certified arborists working for professional tree service companies have access to plant pathology laboratories that can identify specific pathogens that are affecting trees in the Bell area. Once the specific disease organism has been identified, treatment for the disease can be selected to target the specific disease organism.

Laboratory testing is especially important when diagnosing diseases like sudden oak death, citrus greening, and other fungal diseases that can be confused with other diseases. Accurate diagnoses allow for targeted treatments that can maximize the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing the risk of environmental harm and cost to treat the disease.

Laboratory testing also provides information that can be used to monitor the spread of disease through the community. Community-based monitoring programs provide the best opportunity to proactively manage disease issues that can impact trees in residential areas.

Integrated Treatment Approaches

Using Biological Controls

As modern tree disease treatment continues to evolve, more emphasis is being placed on using biological controls to provide sustainable and environmentally-friendly disease management alternatives. In the case of eucalyptus pests, biological controls can include beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps, that attack and eliminate longhorned borers and other pests that damage eucalyptus trees.

Biological controls work by introducing natural predators or parasites that attack and eliminate disease-causing organisms, creating a balanced ecosystem that maintains pest and pathogen populations at levels that do not cause significant damage to trees. Biological controls represent a viable alternative to chemical treatments for managing long-term disease issues in residential areas.

Each situation is evaluated to determine what type of biological control agent is most suitable to address the issue, taking into consideration tree species, disease type, environmental conditions, and property-specific needs. By choosing the most suitable biological control agent, the greatest level of disease control can be achieved while promoting the overall health of the ecosystem.

Chemical Treatment for Tree Diseases

Chemical Treatments

When biological controls are ineffective in controlling the disease, chemical treatments offer a viable option for managing tree disease. Systemic fungicides, bactericides, and insecticides that are specifically formulated for tree applications are available for treating tree diseases.

However, chemical treatments for tree diseases require proper timing, application method, and product selection to obtain the desired results. Professional tree service providers understand labeling requirements, resistance management strategies, and how to integrate chemical treatments with biological controls to maximize the effectiveness of the disease control measures.

The changes to the pesticide regulations in California that go into effect in January 2025, including restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, will require certified applicators to be licensed to apply many chemical treatments. This ensures that chemical treatments are applied safely and in compliance with California’s regulations.

Cultural Management Practices for Trees

Maintaining Healthy Trees Through Cultural Practices

Cultural management practices are often as important as direct disease treatments in maintaining the health of trees. Trees that receive proper irrigation, fertilizers, and pruning are healthier and less susceptible to disease.

Cultural practices that help maintain the health of trees include adjusting irrigation schedules to avoid overwatering, which can lead to fungal disease, providing the necessary nutrients to support natural disease resistance, and pruning and designing landscapes to increase air circulation around trees.

Arborists develop site-specific recommendations for cultural practices based on the tree species, climate conditions, soil characteristics, and property limitations. In many cases, the cultural practices recommended can provide longer-term results than treating the symptoms of the disease.

Precision Tree Service Bell: Providing Disease Management for the Entire Community

Providing Expert Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Precision Tree Service Bell provides comprehensive tree disease treatment services to address the unique tree disease concerns facing the urban forest in Bell. Our certified arborists have extensive knowledge of the tree disease challenges facing the urban forest in Bell and utilize advanced diagnostic techniques to identify tree disease issues and develop effective treatment plans.

We recognize the disease challenges faced by trees in residential areas of Bell, from citrus greening in backyard citrus trees to oak diseases threatening mature oak trees in parkland locations such as Veterans Memorial Park and Ernest Debs Park. By understanding these community-specific disease issues, we are able to provide targeted treatments that address the unique disease challenges facing trees in residential areas.

Our treatment plan development process takes into account the property-specific needs of our clients, the requirements of the tree species, the environmental conditions in which the trees grow, and the client’s long-term goals for managing the trees. This comprehensive approach to developing treatment plans ensures that our treatment plans provide the best possible results while promoting the long-term health and sustainability of the trees.

Preventive Disease Management

Why Prevention is the Most Important Approach to Managing Tree Disease

One of the most effective ways to manage tree disease is through prevention. Preventative management is particularly important for tree diseases that cannot be cured, such as citrus greening and sudden oak death. Our preventative programs involve monitoring the health of trees, identifying potential disease issues before they occur, and applying treatments that will maintain the health of the trees.

Preventative tree disease treatment includes several different approaches, including seasonal applications of protective treatments, pruning trees to improve air circulation and reduce disease-promoting conditions, and nutritional programs that enhance the tree’s natural ability to fight off disease.

By employing preventative tree disease treatment strategies, we can reduce the likelihood of costly emergency treatments and maintain the health and beauty of the trees.

Timing of Preventative Treatments

Timing Is Everything When It Comes to Preventive Tree Disease Treatment

Timing is everything when it comes to preventative tree disease treatments. Seasonal patterns of disease, tree growth cycles, and environmental conditions can all impact the timing of preventative treatments. By coordinating the timing of our treatments to coincide with the time when trees are most vulnerable to disease, we can maximize the effectiveness of the treatments.

In the case of Bell’s spring weather, the warmer temperatures and increased moisture in the environment create ideal conditions for the onset of many tree diseases. During the spring, preventative treatments are focused on protecting new growth, which is often the most susceptible to disease.

During the summer months, preventative treatments are focused on reducing the stress on trees caused by high temperatures and dry conditions. We provide trees with the right amount of water and nutrients and implement stress-reduction strategies, such as pruning and thinning, to help the trees withstand the hot and dry conditions.

Fall and Winter Tree Disease Treatment

Fall and Winter Provide Optimal Conditions for Some Tree Disease Treatments

While the summer months are the most challenging for trees, fall and winter present a number of opportunities for tree disease treatments. As the trees enter their dormant season, many tree disease treatments can be applied without disrupting the active growth of the trees.

Some of the most effective tree disease treatments can be applied during the fall and winter months, such as dormant season fungicides, preventative insecticides, and cultural practices, such as pruning, that reduce the likelihood of disease issues in the coming year.

Fall and winter also provide an excellent opportunity to implement soil treatments, root zone management, and other infrastructure projects that promote the health and longevity of the trees.

State Pesticide Regulations

California State Pesticide Regulations

Tree disease treatment in California is regulated by California state pesticide regulations. While pesticide regulations have changed over the years, the changes made to California’s pesticide regulations in 2025 will likely have the greatest impact on the way tree disease treatments are applied in the future. Neonicotinoid insecticides will be restricted from use in California as of January 2025. Professional tree service providers must be aware of these regulations and apply treatments accordingly to avoid violating state regulations.

In addition to complying with state pesticide regulations, professional tree service providers must also consider environmental protection regulations when applying tree disease treatments. Environmental protection regulations focus on minimizing the negative impacts of tree disease treatments on the environment. Environmental protection regulations include selecting treatment products that minimize the negative impact on beneficial organisms, avoiding treatments during sensitive periods for wildlife, and establishing buffer zones to protect sensitive areas.

In the case of residential areas, environmental protection regulations can impact neighboring properties, children’s playgrounds, and pets. Therefore, professional tree service providers must follow environmental protection regulations to ensure that tree disease treatments are safe and effective.

Long-Term Urban Forest Health

Managing Disease Issues Throughout the Community

To ensure that the urban forest remains healthy, tree disease treatment must extend beyond individual property lines to include community-wide disease management. Many tree diseases can spread quickly from one property to another, and therefore, community-wide disease management is essential for successful long-term tree disease treatment.

Community-wide disease management includes implementing community-wide monitoring programs for tree diseases, educating property owners on how to monitor for and prevent tree diseases, and coordinating treatment plans to address tree disease issues throughout the community.

By participating in community-wide disease management programs, professional tree service providers can help promote the health and sustainability of the urban forest for generations to come.

Sustainable Tree Care Methods

Bell’s tree health is dependent upon sustainable care methods to promote the continued health of our trees through fewer and less intense chemical applications and treatments. The focus on sustainable disease treatments is on disease prevention, cultural (care) tree management, and biological (chemical-free) methods to produce long-lasting results.

Examples of sustainable care methods are using disease-resistant tree varieties when planting new trees; installing efficient water irrigation systems to reduce moisture levels, which support the spread of diseases; and growing a variety of trees so that if one variety becomes infected with a particular disease, the other varieties will remain healthy and less susceptible to widespread disease.

These methods can be especially beneficial near public gathering areas such as Bell High School, the Bell Community Center, and the historic Bell House, as they promote long-term goals of sustainability in the use of these areas’ landscaping, while reducing long-term costs associated with their ongoing maintenance.

The use of professional tree disease treatment is an important part of ensuring the continued health of Bell’s urban forest and supporting the overall well-being of its citizens. Professional services will diagnose the extent of a tree’s disease, treat the disease, and use sustainable practices to prevent the need for additional treatments in the future, thereby continuing to benefit the environment, economy, and aesthetics of the city and its residents for years to come.