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RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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Hypoxylon Canker: The Point of No Return

Resources: Tree Problems

hypoxylon canker on large older tree white patch tree fungus
Hypoxylon canker found by one of our Certified Arborists

Hypoxylon canker is irreversible.

To make matters worse, it results in a hazard tree and an unappealing, unhealthy environment. And did we mention it’s commonly found in our area?

When worst comes to worst, it’s important to seek expert opinions from Certified Arborists. Their professional assessments will determine whether it’s time to say goodbye.

But first, what is hypoxylon canker and how do you know if your trees are suffering from it?


What is Hypoxylon Canker?

Hypoxylon canker is a fungal disease that leads to dead lesions, diminished tree structure, and a threatened landscape.

Hypoxylon canker:  

  • Primarily targets the oak species. In the DC Metro area, the primarily affected species is the oak variety – especially red oak!
  • Occurs in stressed and older trees. Although the fungus can exist in healthy trees, it readily attacks and infects the sapwood of weaker trees.
  • Causes trees to become extremely brittle. The tree disease causes a severe loss in structural strength. If too much strength is lost, the infected tree could potentially fall and damage surrounding structures.

What Are The Symptoms of Hypoxylon Canker?

Visually, the first signs of concern are usually yellowing or wilting leaves, death of upper branches, and a thinning canopy.

Symptoms of the tree fungus in oak trees appear in three stages:

  1. Reddish-brown to green crusty tissue over affected area
  2. Grey surface that flakes off and exposes dark brown to black color
  3. Small silvery patches converging into large strips
reddish brown with gray patch hypoxylon canker tree fungus
dark brown patch hypoxylon canker tree fungus
silvery patch hypoxylon canker tree fungus

What Causes Hypoxylon Canker?

The tree fungus that causes hypoxylon canker doesn’t only exist in healthy trees, it exists in many of them – and their presence can span several years!

The key element is stress. If a tree is overly stressed or weakened, the fungus will be able to invade the sapwood. This, combined with other factors, ultimately results in tree mortality.

Leading factors can be grouped in three categories:

  1. Environmental: Fungal spores spread from one tree to the next. If the tree is too stressed, it will be less able to fight off the disease and will likely become infected.
  2. Urban Development: Stress from surrounding developments can contribute to tree decline and eventual tree death. In particular, construction can wound roots and/or contribute to soil compaction.
  3. Natural Factors: There are multiple ecological factors that can lead to hypoxylon canker. A few factors include weather stressors (drought, flooding, lightning, etc.), poor soil conditions, pest infestations & resulting defoliation, and competition or overcrowding.

How is Hypoxylon Canker Treated?

Preventative care is the best defense against hypoxylon canker.

As there is no treatment for the disease, proper maintenance and care is the best option to fight against the tree canker. This may include fertilization or mulching procedures, adjusting watering techniques, and routine pruning.

Unfortunately, while it’s ideal to take a proactive approach in tree care, sometimes issues can fall under radar. When it becomes a little too late, it’s important to ensure extreme caution is taken in taking the tree down.

Safety and expertise are especially important for trees affected by hypoxylon canker. As the lignin (“nature’s glue”) is torn up by the tree fungus, there becomes a lack of stable structure. This ultimately makes the tree even more difficult and dangerous to remove.

tree fungus affected tree fungus by house
tree fungus affected tree by shed

Professional tree removal:

  • Prevents trees from falling on structures, streets, or powerlines
  • Uses expert tools and technology such as mechanical lifts to ensure top safety

RTEC Treecare’s mission is to “Do the right thing for the people and nature.” One of the ways we do this is by prioritizing tree preservation.

Unfortunately, we understand this isn’t always possible. When you suspect your tree is sick, our Certified Arborists will provide expert assessments and determine the next steps.

We have a protocol in store for tree removals that will enable you to put your mind at ease. Safety is our utmost top priority, so we can do all the work and you can remain worry-free.  

If you see any symptoms of hypoxylon canker, reserve an appointment online or call us at 703.573.3029.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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