From live oak, mesquite and pecan to Texas ash, cedar elm, mulberry and hackberry, the trees common to the Dallas-Fort Worth area help create a welcoming, professional commercial landscape and are often the most visible and valuable assets within it. Regular tree health monitoring is essential for identifying early signs of disease and taking preventive action before problems escalate.

It’s helpful to understand tree diseases common in the DFW area as well as their symptoms and how proactive monitoring can protect your trees and enhance the overall health of your landscape.

Common Tree Diseases Seen in DFW

Tree diseases vary based on multiple factors, including the type of tree and the soil in our region. For example, the clay-based soil in the DFW area can make it harder for many types of shrubs and trees to establish roots, creating a host of health problems.

Here are some of the most common tree issues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that SHINEscapes can work with you to address:

Pest infestations. From aphids to borers, your trees can be susceptible to various pests. It may not always be easy to spot them from a distance, but parasites like aphids can be revealed with a closer look. They often appear as an ashy coating on the leaves, and by simply shaking them over a white piece of paper, they become immediately visible.

Iron deficiency. If you spot a tree with yellowing leaves next to others that are vibrant and green, it’s likely the tree is struggling with an iron deficiency known as iron chlorosis, which occurs when trees don’t get sufficient iron to produce chlorophyll and maintain healthy leaves. This issue can be easy to spot in the DFW area because the leaves of most tree species in our region are naturally green (versus naturally occurring red, purple or yellow leaves, which are less common here).

Fungal, bacterial or viral infections. These types of tree diseases can lead to discoloration, a loss of leaves or even dieback, where the tree’s leaves begin to die first, working backward toward the roots. Oak wilt is a fungal disease common to oaks in our area—particularly red and live oaks—and because it’s vascular, it infects the entire tree and can spread to others.

Several factors can impact the health of your trees beyond disease. For example, poor drainage can weaken them, making them more vulnerable to pests and infections. Weather can also be a factor—especially here in North Texas, where severe wind, flooding, droughts and freezes are all possible. Having a landscaping partner to help you prepare trees in advance of a storm as well as manage the aftereffects is essential. SHINEscapes can work with you to monitor your trees’ health and make recommendations for taking action to either preserve or remove them when needed.

Symptoms of Tree Disease

Tree disease symptoms (like discoloration or wilting leaves) are often immediately noticeable. Other common symptoms of problems in trees include:

• • • Dying branches: Dead or dying branches can indicate a nutrient deficiency, a lack of water or potential disease.
    • Leaning trees: This can be a sign of a structural problem for the tree that should be promptly addressed not only for its health but also to prevent a safety issue for your property.
    • Fungal growth or peeling bark. If a tree is missing bark or fungal growth is visible on its trunk, it’s a clear sign of an issue that should be addressed to prevent it from spreading.

Protection Through Proactive Monitoring

Early detection and proper treatment are vital for preventing severe damage as well as the spread of tree diseases across your property. Through proactive monitoring and maintenance, SHINEscapes can help keep your trees in top condition through a few key services:

Pruning. While pruning lower branches is often the priority for commercial properties, maintaining and thinning the canopy is also crucial for safety. An overly heavy canopy can become a hazard, increasing the risk of the tree toppling over. Proper canopy pruning also supports tree health by preventing branches from rubbing together, which can create open wounds that leave the tree vulnerable to insects and disease.

Pest control. Effective pest control starts with early detection. When insecticide is applied to the soil, it takes two to three weeks for the treatment to travel through the roots, up the trunk and into the canopy, where visible results begin to appear.

Fertilization. Proper fertilization is critical for keeping your trees strong and resilient and can also help treat conditions like iron deficiency or aphid infestations.

Irrigation. While trees tend to be heartier and more self-sustaining than other flora, during the long summer months or other intense periods of drought, irrigation is essential to prevent problems that stress your trees and leave them susceptible to disease and insect infestations.

Root stimulators. Root stimulators can help build healthy root systems in your trees. Plus, they can be especially beneficial for reducing shock and encouraging growth after a tree has been transplanted.

Replacement. Tree varieties that are prone to storm damage should be assessed and considered for replacement with types that are more appropriate for soil and weather conditions in our area. For example, trees like Italian Cypress don’t grow well in DFW’s clay soil. Palm trees that are prominent in many areas of our state also struggle with our region’s soil and the severe temperate swings we commonly experience.

What to look for in a commercial landscaping partner

While your commercial landscaping partner should continuously monitor the health of your trees, they should also perform a property walkthrough at least quarterly to document potential issues or opportunities that can be addressed over time based on your goals and budget.

For more serious issues that arise, your partner should have arborists as a part of their team who can provide services as needed. And, above all, your commercial landscaping partner should be experienced, with coverage across the Dallas-Fort Worth area that ensures they can provide service when and where you need it.

Trust SHINEscapes to Care for Your Commercial Landscape

Looking for a landscaping partner in Dallas-Fort Worth to keep your trees in top condition? Consider partnering with SHINEscapes. Whether you have one property or multiple locations throughout DFW, we offer comprehensive and customized landscaping services for your business, apartment complexes and HOAs. To learn more or get a quote, contact  SHINEscapes or call us at 214-437-6888.