Common Tree Pests & Diseases In Huntsville | And How To Stop Them?
Trees are vital to Huntsville’s landscape and they shade our homes, cool the environment and beautify our neighborhoods. But like all living things trees are vulnerable to pests and diseases. The good news is: many problems can be prevented or treated early if you know what to watch for.
Below is a guide to some of the most common tree pests and diseases in the Huntsville / northern Alabama region, how to recognize them and strategies (both DIY and professional) to manage them.
Why Huntsville Trees Are Susceptible?
Before getting into specific pests/diseases, a few background points:
- Huntsville’s warm, humid climate fosters fungal growth and insect development.
- Trees under stress (from drought, soil compaction, mechanical damage, poor planting) are more vulnerable.
- Many insects act as secondary pests, attacking after a tree is weakened. The Alabama Forestry Department notes that native bark beetles, for instance, often take advantage of trees under stress.
- Urban settings often concentrate susceptible species or encourage disease spread via close proximity.
So maintaining tree vigor, good soil, proper watering, and correct pruning is your first defense.
Key Pests you will Encounter in Huntsville
Here are some of the more common insect problems around here:
| Pest | Symptoms / Signs | Why It’s a Problem | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Aphids |
Leaves become yellow, curled, stunted; sticky “honeydew” deposits; sometimes sooty mold growth |
They suck sap, weaken branches, and spread diseases. |
Use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils; encourage natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings). For heavy infestations, professional systemic treatments may be needed. |
|
Bagworms |
Hanging “bags” of silk + foliage on branches; defoliation over time
|
They can defoliate entire branches or smaller trees |
Remove and destroy bags in winter and early spring; treat larvae in late spring with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or equivalent. |
|
Borers & Wood-boring Beetles |
Small holes in bark, sawdust-like frass, peeling bark, decline in vigor |
These insects bore into wood and can kill branches or entire trees if unchecked. |
Maintain tree health (vigor is the best defense), avoid injuring bark, and apply targeted insecticides if detected early. The Alabama Extension lists many “borer pests of woody ornamentals” as a concern in southern states. |
|
Cankerworms (insect defoliator) |
Springtime leaf loss, tiny caterpillars feeding, skeletonized leaves |
Repeated defoliation weakens the tree over time |
Use tree banding in late fall/early winter to trap moths. In spring, foliar treatments timed to caterpillar emergence help control spread. |
|
Fall Webworm |
Webbed nests on ends of branches, inner foliage eaten |
While usually not fatal to a healthy tree, severe infestations stress the tree |
Prune out and destroy webs; insecticide treatments for large infestations can help. |
Diseases That Threaten Trees in Huntsville
In addition to pests, fungal and bacterial pathogens are a serious threat, especially in humid climates like ours. Here are a few of the more common ones:
Oak Wilt & Vascular Wilts
Oak wilt is a serious fungal disease affecting oaks in the South. It causes wilting, branch dieback and often death.
Prevention / management:
- Avoid pruning oaks in vulnerable months (when fungal spores are active).
- Use wound dressings when necessary (though this is debated).
- If oak wilt is confirmed, root graft severing and systemic fungicide injection may slow spread.
Anthracnose (Leaf Spot Diseases)
Common on maples, oaks, sycamores, etc. You will see dead spots, leaf curling, defoliation.
Control tips:
- Prune and destroy affected branches early.
- Improve airflow and reduce moisture on leaves (thin canopy).
- Use fungicides in spring as leaves emerge.
Tip Dieback / Needle Casts (for Evergreens)
Evergreen species (like pines, spruces) often suffer from needle cast diseases or tip blights, especially where there is prolonged moisture.
Approach:
- Remove infected needles or branches.
- Ensure good air circulation (prune when necessary).
- Fungicidal sprays or systemic treatments for severe outbreaks.
Phomopsis Blight (Juniper & Other Conifers)
This disease infects new shoots and causes browning of tips in juniper species.
What to do:
- Prune out diseased branch tips.
- Avoid overhead watering that keeps foliage wet.
- Fungicide sprays timed to when new growth is vulnerable.
Cedar-Apple Rust (Rust Diseases)
Where juniper/cedar and apple (or crabapple) species are near each other, rust fungi can cycle between hosts.
Controls:
- Space hosts apart if possible.
- Remove galls or infected tissues.
Use fungicide treatments during active spore periods.
Integrated Strategies to Protect Your Trees
Here’s a framework you can follow to keep your trees healthy and resilient. Many professional arborists (including us at Pro Tree Services Huntsville) use these same principles.
- Vigilant Monitoring & Early Detection
Walk your property periodically. Look for changes in leaf color, new holes in bark, wilting or early leaf drop. Early detection is almost always easier to treat. - Maintain Tree Health
Healthy trees fend off pests and diseases better than weakened ones. That means:- Proper planting (don’t bury the root flare)
- Mulching correctly (but not against the trunk)
- Deep watering during drought
- Balanced fertilization (soil tests help)
- Pruning & Sanitation
Remove and properly dispose of diseased or dead limbs. Sterilize pruning tools (use alcohol or bleach solution) so you don’t spread pathogens. - Barrier & Physical Controls
Use tree banding for crawling pests (e.g. cankerworms) or wrap trunks in protective sleeves where appropriate. Apply horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps (low-impact) before pests become overwhelming. - Chemical & Biological Treatments
- Systemic insecticides/fungicides: These can protect a tree internally, especially for borers or vascular diseases.
- Foliar sprays: Useful for leaf diseases or surface-feeding pests.
- Biological controls: Encouraging beneficial insects (ladybugs, parasitic wasps) helps keep pest populations in check.
- Professionally Timed Interventions
Some treatments must be applied at very specific times (e.g. before pests emerge or when fungal spores are active). Professionals have the tools, timing and safety gear to do this efficiently.
Why Hiring Pro Tree Services Huntsville Makes Sense?
- We understand the local pests, pathogens and climatic conditions that affect trees in Huntsville and the surrounding region.
- Our arborists are trained and licensed to diagnose problems precisely, so you do not waste money on guesses.
- We plan integrated treatment schedules such as preventive sprays, soil injections, pruning which is personalized to your property and tree species.
- Safety is critical: applying chemicals or climbing trees is dangerous when done incorrectly.
Do not wait if you spot any suspicious signs such as holes in bark, wilting branches, defoliation, webs, unusual leaf spots. Contact us at The Tree Pros Huntsville to schedule an inspection. Catching issues early can save your tree (and your wallet).
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the most common tree pests in Huntsville include aphids, bagworms, cankerworms, fall webworms and borers. Each can cause significant damage if not managed early.
Diseases often cause unusual symptoms like leaf spots, wilting, premature leaf drop or visible fungal growth. Seasonal changes typically affect the whole tree consistently while diseases show patchy and irregular damage.
Not all insects are harmful. Some are beneficial and help control pest populations. However, pests like borers and bagworms can severely damage trees if left untreated.
For mild infestations, DIY methods such as pruning using insecticidal soap or applying horticultural oils may help. But for serious problems (like borers or oak wilt), professional tree care is recommended.
You should contact a professional if you notice rapid tree decline, severe defoliation, holes in the bark or spreading fungal infections. Early professional intervention can often save your tree.
Prevention includes proper watering, mulching, pruning and monitoring. Keeping trees healthy and stress-free makes them less vulnerable to pests and diseases.