Tree and Shrub Disease and Insect Control

Huntingdon Valley Tree and Shrub Disease and Insect Control

Eliminating Pests and Treating Diseases in Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer, and Hunterdon Counties

Trees and shrubs can be affected by a variety of insects, bacteria, and fungi. Professional diagnosis by one of our ISA-certified arborists at Willow Tree and Landscape Services is the first step in solving the problem.

Since 1983, our experts have been controlling insect and disease problems on trees and shrubs in our local communities. Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the most recent research concerning tree and shrub insects, diseases, and treatment methods.

Once we have identified the insect or disease problem affecting your tree or shrub, our team will develop a personalized treatment strategy – taking into account weather and growing conditions – to treat the insect or disease at the optimal time. Our licensed applicators use all of the most up-to-date treatment methods and products, including tree injections, soil injections, basal trunk treatments, foliar sprays, horticultural oil, horticultural soap, and natural insecticides.

If you think one of your trees or shrubs may be in danger because of disease or insects, request a free inspection and quote by calling (215) 607-6321 or contacting us online!

Tree Diseases We Treat

Our experts at Willow Tree and Landscape Services have the tools and knowledge to swiftly diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases that afflict trees. We research and leverage the latest and safest treatments to effectively combat ailments, and our team is often able to detect symptoms before they become obvious.

Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control experts can help treat many types of ailments, including:

Anthracnose. This leaf disease affects a broad variety of deciduous trees. It thrives on cool, wet weather during bud break. It can cause leaf damage and premature leaf drop.
Apple scab. This fungal disease commonly affects species of apple and crabapple trees. It affects newly developing leaves, triggering green or brown lesions. Damaged leaves can appear deformed and are susceptible to drop earlier in the year. Pear trees can also get “pear scab,” which has similar symptoms and treatment methods.
Ash rust. This fungal disease affects several species of ash trees. It creates easily visible orange spots and growths on leaves and can cause premature leaf drop. The timing of this disease’s potential appearance can vary considerably from year to year, and generally, no treatment is required.
Ash yellows. This disease affects several different ash tree species and is caused by a microbe. Symptoms can vary, but this disease causes slowed growth and the general decline of the tree.
Bacterial leaf scorch. This bacterial disease can afflict a number of tree species but in our region is frequently found to affect oak trees. Symptoms include browning – or “scorching” – of the outside of the leaf as well as premature leaf drop.
Black knot disease. This fungal disease affects most species of plum and cherry trees and shrubs. It causes distinct swollen “knots” on the branches of trees and can trigger dieback.
Bleeding canker. This fungal disease is most commonly associated with European beech trees. It is a potentially fatal disease if untreated. The disease causes dark, wet-looking areas on the bark.
Botryosphaeria canker. This fungal disease typically affects stressed or weakened trees and shrubs. Many different woody ornamental plants can be affected by this disease, which causes rough sunken areas on the bark that can lead to branch dieback.
Boxwood blight. This fungal disease has been found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and affects boxwood species. Currently, it is mainly a problem for nurseries. There is no current treatment strategy, and, unfortunately, any infected plant must be destroyed.
Cedar apple rust. This fungal disease affects juniper, apple, hawthorn, and serviceberry trees. Symptoms can vary based on the species of the host tree but generally include changes to leaf and fruit appearance.
Cytospora canker. This fungal disease affects blue and Norway spruces, causing branch dieback. The disease typically appears on stressed trees, particularly ones without adequate water. The dieback first starts on lower branches and proceeds up the tree.
Diplodia tip blight. This fungal disease affects a wide variety of pine trees. Symptoms include the browning of new needles, new shoot death, and branch and tree death.
Dutch elm disease. This fungal disease primarily affects the American elm tree but can also affect other elm species. It is fatal if untreated, as it attacks the vascular system of the tree.
Fire blight. This type of bacteria can affect a wide variety of landscape trees but is most frequently seen on apple and crabapple trees. Symptoms are most often seen during flowering and include wilting and blackened branches and flowers.
Gummosis on fruit trees. Gummosis is the oozing of sap from the wounds or cankers of fruit trees. There are several possible causes, including tree injury, environmental stress, insects, and diseases.
Lichens. Lichens are frequently found growing on the trunks of trees. They do not harm trees, so no treatment or management is necessary.
Needlecast. This fungal disease affects evergreen trees, causing needle drop.
Powdery mildew. This fungal disease appears on a wide range of plants, shrubs, and trees. This disease appears on the leaves of plants as a white powdery fungus that can cause distorted leaves and premature leaf drop.
Slime flux. This bacterial disease can affect a number of mature trees, particularly elm species. Symptoms are quite obvious, as cracks or wounds in the bark will have liquid bubbles. You may also see long streaks running down the bark of an affected tree.
Thousand canker disease. This fungal disease primarily affects black walnut trees. The disease involves the interaction of the walnut twig beetle and a fungus. It was first found in Bucks County in 2011. Damage inside of the bark leads to tree death.
Verticillium wilt. This fungal disease enters root systems and disturbs water and nutrient movements within trees. Symptoms include smaller than normal leaves and browning on the margins of leaves. In many cases, symptoms will first appear only on one side of the tree.
Volutella blight. This fungal disease affects pachysandra, causing discolored leaves and sometimes plant death.

Early intervention is crucial, so do not wait to request our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control services if you suspect one or more of your plants may be in trouble. Call (215) 607-6321 or contact us online.

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"I highly recommend this company."
We are very pleased with the work done by Willow Tree Service. The job reflected the knowledge and skill of a fine arborist. In addition, your crew were very pleasant and professional.

- Stan and Irene K.
"It was a pleasure to see such a professional job well executed."
I was very pleased with everything regarding your service...from the legible estimate to the schedule and kept date for service. No rescheduled date was needed. Your workers were extremely competent, and polite, and worked together as a coherent team.

- Mrs. Loretta H.
"Highly Recommended!"
Fantastic job! It will be easy to recommend Willow to others (already have!)

- Bill B.
"Thank you!"
The men were so polite and did a beautiful job.

- Janet K.
"I would highly recommend them."
Both your tree and stump crews did a fantastic job at our property. It is evident that everyone in your company takes pride in their work as they left the property in a very clean condition.

- Jared S.
"I would highly recommend them."
Thanks for a prompt, clean, efficient job. It’s much appreciated.

- Dr. Barry H.
"I highly recommend this company."
Please compliment the crew that did this job! They were excellent, and professional, and left the yard in great condition.

- Jack D.
"Highly Recommend"
Your crew did a super job cleaning up. Regards.

- Dick S.

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Common Insects That Damage Trees

No one wants to see their trees or shrubs suffer from pest infestations. Left unchecked, many species of insects can compromise the health of your plants, leading to weakened structures, diminished growth, and in severe cases, death. Our arborists can treat existing infestations as well as help you take preventative steps to reduce the likelihood of future attacks.

Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control professionals can help manage and eliminate many types of pests, including:

Aphids. Species of this insect are frequently found on many common landscape trees and shrubs. These sucking insects can damage plants through their feeding activity. They can also be a vector for other diseases and trigger black sooty mold that discolors or damages plants.
Bagworms. This insect is most common in several species of evergreen trees, including arborvitae, pine, and spruce. The insect damages trees by feeding on their needles and leaves. The insect is most often noticed when it forms large bags or cases that suspend from branches.
Birch leafminer. This insect most often feeds on the leaves of paper birch and grey birch trees. The insect “mines” in between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf, causing irregular brown areas. Damage most often appears first at the top of the tree, though these pests can sometimes defoliate the entire tree.
Black vine weevil. This destructive insect feeds on many plant species but is a key pest of rhododendron, euonymus, Japanese holly, and various yew species. The larval stage of this insect feeds on roots and can cause extensive damage or death. The adults feed on the leaves and cause notching damage.
Box elder bug. Most commonly associated with the box elder trees, these insects are most commonly noticed due to their tendency to invade homes and become a nuisance.
Boxwood psyllid. The American boxwood is most often associated with this insect, although it does feed on other varieties as well. This sucking insect causes cupping and damage to growing leaves.
Bronze birch borer. This boring insect can cause severe damage or death of entire limbs and trees. It affects white, paper, and cutleaf weeping birch trees. This insect tends to attack stressed trees that are not properly irrigated and fertilized. Damage typically first appears at the top of the tree.

Carpenter ants. These ants aid in the decomposition of dead or dying wood, which is where they form their nests. They are occasionally a pest inside the home. While they do usually not tunnel into dry, sound wood in a house, they will excavate moist, rotten wood or other soft materials.
Cooley spruce gall adelgid. This insect frequently causes bud and needle damage to blue spruce and Douglas fir trees, but it can also affect Sitka and Oriental spruce trees. On spruce trees, this insect can ruin the tree’s shape by damaging buds and forming pineapple-shaped galls at the tips of growth.
Cottony maple scale. This sucking insect affects a large variety of ornamental and shade trees. Types of damage can include dieback of twigs and branches. In severe cases, this insect can cause tree death.
Eastern spruce gall adelgid. This insect causes a gall at the end of new growth that can damage the appearance and shape of the tree. It most commonly damages Norway spruce, but other spruce species can be targets, as well.
Eastern tent caterpillar. The presence of this insect can vary considerably from year to year. In peak population years, this insect can severely defoliate trees, and the large silky tents they spin are unsightly. Wild cherry and other fruit trees are their preferred hosts, but they can also attack a wide variety of other trees.
Elm bark beetles. These insects burrow beneath the bark of various elm tree species and are a key vector for the spread of Dutch elm disease, a serious and often fatal elm tree disease.
Elf leaf beetle. This insect, which feeds exclusively on elm trees, can severely defoliate and weaken its targets, making them susceptible to other insects and diseases.
Elongate hemlock scale. Although found on other species, this introduced pest is primarily a serious threat to hemlock trees. It can cause yellowing needles as well as needle drop and tree death.
Emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer has destroyed tens of millions of ash trees throughout the United States and Canada. Some of the symptoms of an emerald ash borer infestation include thinning or dying of ash tree crowns, suckers at the base of the tree, splitting bark, tunneling under the bark, D-shaped exit holes, and woodpecker activity. Thankfully, there are highly effective insecticides currently available to prevent the destruction of ash trees. Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control services include treatment through trunk injection, which targets the emerald ash borer larvae inside the tree. When used as a preventative measure, this treatment provides two years of protection from this destructive pest.
Euonymus scale. This sucking insect causes a reduction in plant health, defoliating, and potential branch and plant death. Its primary host plants are deciduous and evergreen euonymus as well as pachysandra.
European pine shoot moth. This introduced insect affects many species of pine trees. They cause damage to new shoot growth that can result in wilted shoots as well as crooked trunks and branches.
Fall webworm. These caterpillars feed on a large variety of deciduous trees and build large webs at the end of the branches. They do not usually cause significant damage, but their webs can be unsightly.
Fletcher scale. This sucking insect prefers arborvitae and yew species. The feeding action of this insect can reduce tree and shrub health and cause needle yellowing or drop.
Gypsy moth. The larval stage of this moth feeds on a fairly wide range of deciduous trees. This insect can severely defoliate trees, resulting in health declines or tree death.
Hemlock wooly adelgid. This insect feeds on Canadian hemlock trees, causing a reduction in tree health, and in more severe attacks, needle drop, branch loss, and even tree death. The telltale sign of this insect is the cotton-like masses it creates on stems.
Honeylocust plant bug. As its name suggests, this insect primarily attacks honeylocust trees by feeding on new leaves in the spring. Feeding activity causes the new leaves to appear deformed with yellow blotches as well as defoliation.
Japanese beetles. This invasive beetle feeds on a large variety of landscape trees and plants, especially those in full sun. Feeding activity can cause extensive damage and create leaves with a skeletonized appearance. These beetles are most noticeable in July and August, which is when emerge from the soil.
Japanese maple scale. This insect feeds on a wide range of woody plants and trees. Feeding activity can cause yellowing, dieback, and plant death.
Juniper scale. This insect can cause affected plants to lose their usual vibrant color. In severe cases, these insects can cause foliage and limb loss or even plant death. Species of juniper, cypress, false cypress, and cedar can all be affected.
Lace bugs of deciduous and evergreen trees. Many lace bug species feed on deciduous trees and shrubs. Each species tends to specialize in only a few host plants. Lace bugs feed on leaves and cause leaf discoloration and leaf drop. The most common species in our region include the andromeda lace bug, the rhododendron lace bug, and the azalea lace bug.
Magnolia scale. This insect feeds exclusively on magnolia species and can cause a reduction in foliage, flowers, and plant health. They can eventually trigger dieback and tree death. In large infestations, twigs become enlarged and purple, and honeydew production creates black sooty mold on the affected plant.
Mimosa webworm. When this non-native insect feeds on honeylocust and mimosa trees, it wraps a web around leaflets. Left untreated, they can defoliate an entire tree.
Native holly leafminer. This insect feeds only on native holly trees. Feeding and egg-laying activity can damage leaves and cause premature leaf drop.
Obscure scale. This insect feeds on species of oak, dogwood, hickory, maple, and willow trees. It feeds by sucking nutrients from twigs and branches. Small trunks and branches can be disfigured by severe infestations.
Oystershell scale. This insect affects a wide variety of common landscape trees and shrubs. The waxy cover of this insect resembles a miniature oyster shell, giving it its name. Its feeding on twigs and branches can cause branch dieback and, in severe cases, plant death.
Peachtree tree borer. The preferred host plants for this insect are trees and shrubs in the genus Prunus. This insect causes damage as it bores into the tree near the ground level. Damaged and stressed trees are particularly attractive to this pest. Keeping the base of the trunk clear of mulch is an important protection action.
Pine needle scale. This insect attacks a wide variety of pine, spruce, and cedar species. It sucks on needles, and its feeding activity can reduce tree health and cause twig and branch dieback.
Rhododendron borer. This boring insect most frequently affects rhododendron and azalea bushes in the landscape. Damage can decrease growth and blooms, causing dieback of branches, and tends to get worse each year if untreated.
Sawfly. This insect feeds on the needles of many pine species and can cause aesthetic damage and defoliation. The European pine sawfly is the most common sawfly species found in our region.
Sod webworm. This insect can cause visible damage to lawns, particularly during periods of drought, as they chew and feed on grass.
Spotted lanternfly. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that has been found throughout the East Coast, including eastern Pennsylvania. They cause serious damage to trees and a variety of plants, including crops like grapes, apples, and walnuts. When feeding, they expel significant amounts of honeydew that often coats the area and infested plants with sooty mold. If you have seen a spotted lanternfly, you should not wait to request our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and infection control services. To stop the spread of this pest, we usually use an insecticide called dinotefuran. It can be applied as a trunk spray or trunk injection for highly effective treatment.
Spruce spider mite. This destructive insect attacks a wide variety of evergreen trees. The sucking feeding of this insect causes trees to appear more yellow and less vibrant. As time passes, the needles of an affected tree will develop a rusty color and can drop.
Stink bug (brown marmorated stink bug). This pest has recently arrived in our area and can become a nuisance should they try to enter your home when winter arrives.
Ticks. Ticks can spread Lyme disease as well as several other tick-borne diseases to humans. The blacklegged tick is the most common carrier of Lyme disease in our region.
Tuliptree scale. The feeding of this insect can cause deformed branches as well as sooty mold growth. This insect is most commonly found on tuliptree, magnolia, and linden species.
Twospotted spider mite. This insect feeds on a wide range of landscape plants, shrubs, and trees. Feeding activity can cause leaves to look yellow or mottled in appearance and drop prematurely.
Viburnum leaf beetle. This insect recently arrived in Pennsylvania and feeds on species of viburnum, a common landscape plant. Its feeding can skeletonize and defoliate its targets.
White pine weevil. This insect attacks various pine and spruce species as well as the occasional Douglas fir. It damages the terminal lead on trees and can harm a target tree’s structure or shape. The white pine weevil most commonly attacks trees under 20 feet in height.

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