Common Tree Diseases in North Carolina and How to Treat Them

Tree Diseases You're Likely to See in Charlotte and North Carolina

North Carolina's warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall create ideal growing conditions — not just for trees, but also for the fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens that attack them. If you own property in Charlotte, knowing the most common tree diseases in our area can help you catch problems early when treatment is still an option.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is one of the most common fungal diseases affecting trees in the Charlotte area. It primarily attacks dogwoods, sycamores, oaks, and maples — all of which are abundant throughout Mecklenburg County. Symptoms include irregular brown or black spots on leaves, premature leaf drop, and in severe cases, twig dieback.

Anthracnose is most active during cool, wet spring weather, which Charlotte gets plenty of in March and April. For most mature trees, anthracnose is more cosmetic than deadly — the tree looks rough for a while but recovers. However, repeated infections year after year can weaken a tree over time. Treatment includes improving air circulation through pruning, raking and disposing of fallen infected leaves, and in severe cases, fungicide applications timed to protect new growth.

Oak Wilt

Oak wilt is a serious vascular disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. It blocks the water-conducting vessels in the tree, essentially causing the tree to die of thirst. Red oaks (including water oaks and willow oaks, which are everywhere in Charlotte) are highly susceptible and can die within weeks of infection. White oaks are more resistant but can still be affected.

Symptoms include wilting leaves that turn brown from the edges inward, rapid leaf drop during the growing season, and discoloration of the sapwood. Oak wilt spreads through root grafts between nearby oaks and through insect vectors attracted to fresh pruning wounds — which is why arborists recommend avoiding oak pruning during the growing season. There is no cure for a heavily infected tree, but early detection and root severing can sometimes prevent spread to neighboring oaks.

Hypoxylon Canker

Hypoxylon canker is a fungal disease that primarily affects oaks under stress. You'll see it as dark, crusty patches of fungal growth on the bark, often after branches or sections of bark have died. The fungus itself is actually present on most healthy oaks but only becomes a problem when the tree is weakened by drought, construction damage, root loss, or other stressors.

This disease is very common in Charlotte, especially after hot, dry summers when trees are drought-stressed. There's no direct treatment for Hypoxylon canker — the key is preventing the stress conditions that allow it to take hold. Proper watering during droughts, protecting root zones from compaction and damage, and maintaining overall tree health through good care practices are the best defenses.

Pine Bark Beetles

While technically an insect pest rather than a disease, pine bark beetles cause so much tree mortality in North Carolina that they deserve mention here. Southern pine beetles and Ips engraver beetles attack loblolly, shortleaf, and Virginia pines — species that are extremely common in Charlotte's landscapes. Infested pines turn reddish-brown from the top down as the beetles bore through the bark and disrupt the tree's vascular system.

Once a pine is heavily infested, it's usually too late to save it. The most effective management is removing infested trees promptly to prevent the beetles from spreading to neighboring pines. Keeping pines healthy through proper spacing, thinning, and watering makes them more resistant to beetle attack in the first place.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch

Bacterial leaf scorch is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa and is increasingly common in Charlotte's urban trees. It primarily affects oaks, elms, sycamores, and maples. Symptoms include browning of leaf margins that progresses inward, often with a yellow band between green and brown tissue. The browning appears in mid to late summer and gets worse each year.

This disease is chronic and there's no cure. Antibiotic injections can temporarily reduce symptoms, but the tree will continue to decline over a period of years. For valuable trees, treatment can extend their useful life while you plan for eventual replacement. A tree health assessment can confirm diagnosis and help you decide on a management strategy.

Armillaria Root Rot

Armillaria root rot (also called shoestring root rot) is a soil-borne fungal disease that attacks the roots of a wide variety of trees. Symptoms include general decline, thinning canopy, smaller-than-normal leaves, and mushroom clusters at the base of the tree in fall. If you pull back the bark at the root flare, you may see white, fan-shaped fungal mats with a mushroom-like smell.

This disease is common in Charlotte, especially on sites where trees were planted in areas with old stumps or roots still decomposing underground. There's no chemical treatment for Armillaria — management focuses on removing severely infected trees and improving drainage and overall site conditions.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

The best defense against tree diseases is keeping your trees healthy. Proper watering during droughts, correct pruning practices, mulching, and avoiding root zone damage all help trees resist infection. When disease does occur, early detection gives you the most treatment options.

Concerned About a Tree on Your Property?

If you've noticed unusual leaf discoloration, fungal growth, bark changes, or general decline in any of your trees, call Orlando Tree at (704) 749-0642. Our certified arborists can diagnose the problem and recommend the most effective treatment plan for your specific situation.