Plant disease control should start with prevention. You can start preventing plant diseases like fungus and mildew from the very beginning when you're in the first planting phase. However, you should still be working to combat disease when your trees have matured.

Planting trees far apart can allow leaves to fully dry out and be in the sun after rain or morning dew. This will provide an environment that's not as friendly to mildew and fungus growth as a clump of trees might be. Pruning lower branches can also cut down on fungus infections. Lower branches tend to be in the shade and therefore are cool and moist, which makes them perfect fungus breeding grounds.

Keeping your yard or turf clean and orderly will not only help improve appearances, but will also cut down on the possibility of fungus growth. Fallen leaves are the perfect hosts for fungus over winter. After the spring thaw, the fungus is blown to nearby trees, which they infect. If you keep your area free of fallen leaves, you can reduce your chance of a fungal outbreak.

Fighting Plant Disease

Being diligent is also a good way to fight plant diseases. Once you know that you have a fungus problem, a fungicide can help you. Since fungi travel through wind currents, you'll need to maintain a vigilant routine when applying fungicide. There can also be such a thing as too much fungicide. If you're over zealous with fungicide, you may inadvertently end up creating a resistant strain of fungus.