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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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Powdery Mildew – White Powder On Your Leaves?

Resources: Tree Problems

It’s that time of year again! Powdery Mildew is starting to cover leaves and spread throughout landscapes. Powdery Mildew is the name used to describe a group of fungal diseases caused by fungi in the order Erysiphales. Characterized by patches of white to grayish, talcum-powder-like growth, Powdery Mildew is usually easy to spot. And although Powdery Mildew won’t typically kill a tree by itself, it is an eyesore and can lead to health problems down the road. This fungus can starve your tree of nutrients and increase the stress put on the plant making the tree/shrub susceptible to deadly diseases and insects. If you have trees and shrubs that are susceptible to Powdery Mildew our Arborists warn to be on the lookout for early signs of this fungus. 

Trees & Shrubs Susceptible To Powdery Mildew:

Powdery Mildew infects a wide range of plants and trees. Susceptible species include Lilacs, Peonies, Dogwoods, Roses, Azaleas, Crape Myrtles, Oaks, Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas, and Euonymus. Trees and shrubs that are in fully shaded areas and lack good airflow are also susceptible.

Signs and Symptoms Of Powdery Mildew:

  • spots or patches of white to grayish, talcum-powder-like growth. Typically seen on the upper side of leaves but can also show on the bottom side, young stems, flowers, and young fruit. 
  • yellowing leaves
  • leaf wilt
  • branch dieback
  • distorted leaves (advanced symptom)
  • premature leaf drop (advanced symptom)
  • blemishes on fruit (advanced symptom)
  • buds that won’t open (advanced symptom)
  • Powdery Mildew On Leaves
  • Powdery Mildew On Stem

How Does It Hurt My Tree?

Powdery Mildew coats the trees leaves blocking the process of photosynthesis which turns light into food for trees and shrubs. Every year trees and shrubs rely on their food reserves to push out new leaf growth. These newly produced leaves must then replenish the food supply through photosynthesis. When this process is interrupted by powdery mildew the food reserves aren’t replenished and the tree/shrub’s growth will be stunted which can affect overall health. The stress caused by Powdery Mildew will also make the tree more susceptible to other diseases and insect infestations that could be deadly.

Powdery Mildew Treatment:

Powdery Mildew Treatment

Powdery Mildew can be treated by a Certified Arborist with fungicide treatments. If you think your trees or shrubs are showing signs of Powdery Mildew schedule an appointment with one of our Certified Arborists to get a diagnosis and begin treatment. If your trees and shrubs are NOT showing signs of Powdery Mildew yet, that’s great! However, it’s important to take simple steps to prevent the fungus from developing in the first place. 


Need Help With Powdery Mildew?

Meet With A Certified Arborist

Or Call 703-573-3029


Powdery Mildew Prevention:

Prevent Powdery Mildew by following the simple tips we’ve listed below. 

  • Plant susceptible trees and shrubs in full sun.
  • Prune trees and shrubs regularly to improve airflow.
  • Water susceptible plants from below. Use drip lines or hoses instead of sprinklers that wet the plant’s leaves.
  • Rake all leaves and remove them from the property so fungus and diseases don’t overwinter in the leave piles and re-infect your trees/shrubs next spring.
  • When purchasing a new tree or plant make sure they are Powdery Mildew resistant. Resistant species include Cherokee Brave Dogwoods, Catawba Crape Myrtle, Cherokee Crape Myrtle, Hope Crape Myrtle, Simplicity Rose, Meidiland Rose, Rhododendron Yakushimanum, Rhododendron Macrophyllum, Rhododendron Nova Zembla, and Rhododendron Palestrina. 

If your tree is showing signs or symptoms of Powdery Mildew or you would like to work towards preventing this fungus and other plant pests we can help. Our Certified Arborists can diagnose your tree and shrub issues and give you either a treatment plan or prevention plan (Canopy Protection Program) depending on your needs. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 703-573-3029 or book through our online appointment system. 

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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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