Gum Tree Leaf Diseases

These leaf spot diseases affect all shade trees including the black gum tree according to the university of illinois extension.

Gum tree leaf diseases. Positive identification usually requires laboratory diagnosis. Leaf spot diseases should be taken seriously if they result in moderate to complete leaf loss two to four years in a row. Insect leaf damage insect leaf damage. Periodic outbreaks completely defoliate trees causing widespread damage.

Leaf infections called leafspots are caused by a variety of fungi and some bacteria on many trees. Black leaf spot is one of several leaf spot diseases caused by fungus. Normally this does not pose a danger to the tree. Also called sour gum tupelo or black tupelo the black gum tree nyssa sylvatica comes from the eastern u s.

Symptoms of leaf spot disease. Through insects like the june bug caterpillar and others a tree may lose a great amount of leaves. Leaf spots multiply at the end of the growing season. Leaf problems with a black gum tree.

The symptoms include raised black spots with ragged edges on leaves. Department of agriculture. And grows best in u s. Known as root collar foot or crown rot the disease shows itself first through discolored leaves and red brown or dark brown wood directly beneath the bark.

Most leaf spot diseases affect only a small percentage of the tree s overall leaf area and are a minor stress on the health of the tree. But if a tree gets eaten bare year after year this can affect the trees vitality. Younger trees are most susceptible. By the time the eucalyptus tree s dropping branches are discovered the tree is already dying.

An especially harmful version of this diseaseis called anthracnose which attacks many tree species including dogwood and sycamore. Leaf spot diseases weaken trees and shrubs by interrupting photosynthesis. Heart or trunk rot is a fungus that destroys the tree from the inside out. The gumleaf skeletoniser uraba lugens is a common pest of eucalypt trees.

Cercospora is the most common of the many diseases of a sweet gum tree according to the florida department of agriculture and consumer services. Anthracnose is related to excessive moisture and often follows moist springtime weather. Control the disease by pruning affected trees in fall and winter but avoid severe pruning which creates watersprouts vigorous unsightly growth that is more susceptible to disease. Comprehensive details about visible damage as well as control measures accompany each image to help you get a handle on what is troubling your tree.