Red bay trees across Northeast Florida have been dying off for years due to laurel wilt disease, and most homeowners don't realize what's killing them until it's too late.
The disease spreads through a tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into the trunk and introduces a fungus the tree can't fight off. Symptoms move fast once they start: leaves wilt and turn a reddish brown while still hanging on the branch, often within just a few weeks of the first signs. There's currently no reliable way to save a tree once it's infected.
Red bay trees are common throughout Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, and Atlantic Beach, especially in wooded and coastal areas where the species grows naturally. Removing an infected tree quickly helps slow the beetle's spread to healthy trees nearby.
Catching the early signs makes the biggest difference in protecting the rest of a property's canopy.
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Authentic photo of a red bay tree showing reddish-brown wilted foliage, or a crew inspecting a trunk for beetle activity. Real job photos preferred over stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "Is Laurel Wilt in Your Trees?" or "Catch It Before It Spreads"