Pests & Diseases in Utah
Know what to look for and when to call a professional. This guide covers the most common threats to Utah trees.
Ips Bark Beetle
high severitypestAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Small round holes in bark
- Sawdust tubes on trunk
- Browning needles from top down
- Bark falling off in patches
Treatment
Preventive insecticide sprays in spring, removal of infested wood, improving tree vigor through deep watering and fertilization.
Spider Mites
moderate severitypestAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Stippled or bronzed foliage
- Fine webbing on needles or leaves
- Premature leaf drop
- Overall dull appearance
Treatment
Targeted miticide applications, horticultural oil sprays, and encouraging natural predators. Maintaining proper irrigation helps prevent outbreaks.
Aphids
low severitypestAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Clusters of small insects on new growth
- Sticky honeydew on leaves and surfaces below
- Black sooty mold
- Curling or distorted leaves
Treatment
Eco-friendly insecticidal soaps, systemic treatments for severe infestations, and promoting beneficial insect populations like ladybugs and lacewings.
Cytospora Canker
high severitydiseaseAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Branch dieback starting at lower crown
- Amber or white resin on branches
- Sunken, discolored bark patches
- Progressive thinning of canopy
Treatment
No chemical cure exists. Management focuses on proper pruning of affected branches, deep watering during drought, mulching, and avoiding stress. Severely affected trees may need removal.
Fire Blight
high severitydiseaseAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Scorched-looking leaves and branches
- Shepherd's crook shape on branch tips
- Dark, sunken cankers on bark
- Bacterial ooze in warm weather
Treatment
Pruning infected branches 12 inches below visible symptoms with sterilized tools. Antibiotic sprays during bloom. Resistant varieties are the best long-term strategy.
Bronze Birch Borer
high severitypestAffected Trees
Signs to Watch For
- Crown dieback starting at top
- D-shaped exit holes in bark
- Bumpy or ridged bark
- Yellowing and thinning leaves
Treatment
Systemic insecticide treatments (trunk injection or soil drench) applied in spring. Keeping birch trees well-watered and mulched is critical for prevention.
Think Your Tree Has a Problem?
Early detection is everything. Schedule a free health assessment and our arborists will diagnose the issue and recommend a treatment plan.
Schedule AssessmentHave a Specific Problem You Don't See Listed?
Contact us and we'll let you know if it's in our scope, or we'll point you in the right direction. Free, no-pressure visits for homeowners in northern Utah.