Sweet Gum Tree Leaves Turning Black

If it is just the top and happening to the neighbor s tree as well it sounds like you may live over a shallow water table an old rice paddy like area or there is draining water towards those two areas from higher ground.

Sweet gum tree leaves turning black. Verticillium wilt caused by the verticillium fungi this wilt attacks many plants including black gum trees. Black spots on sweet gum tree leafs knowledgebase question. The tree on the right is really unhealthy and looks like it will soon drop its leaves. When any part of a tree goes black it indicates too much moisture which gives way to wilt disease pests decay or death.

In comparison the mildly bitter sweet gum is definitely sweeter. Tent caterpillars bagworms and others feed on foliage chewing holes in leaves. Facts on the sweet gum tree. Do not fertilize with quick acting nitrogen fertilizer in the fall which stimulates this growth.

Holes in leaves caterpillars caterpillars and larvae of moths occasionally infest sweetgum trees. Here s a picture of some unaffected trees on the left and one that s in pretty bad shape on the right. It s called sweet gum to separate it from a different species altogether the black gum nyssa sylvatica which is extremely sour and bitter. Their ravenous appetites can defoliate entire branches and possibly kill a young tree.

Trees are the backbone of any good landscape plan. Cercospora is a fungal spot disease that produces dark brown bordered angular to circular spots 2 to 10 mm in diameter on both sides of leaves. Although relatively pest free black gum leaves can occasionally suffer from diseases. Cercospora may cause leaf drop and diminished vigor but does not pose a great threat to sweet gum trees.

The sweetgum grows in usda zones 5b through 10a. Usually trees do not sustain any permanent harm. First not all the sweet gum trees are affected. In case there are any skeptics both photos were taken on november 1st before the halloween decorations were cleaned up.

Black and brown spots on sweetgum leaves can signal a systemic problem with the tree that is affecting more than just its appearance. There are skeletons in both. Trees vary in height the shape of their canopies type of foliage fall color flowers or fruit as well as other. It s going to be difficult to help the trees which may also have reached soft chalky rock as the center tap roots.

The culprit may also be fire blight disease so called because it causes tree parts to look as if they ve been burned. Despite its name the gum is not sweet. I have two sweet gum trees over 10 yrs old that are turning yellow in color on leaves and also have dark black spots on the leaves almost like they have been burned along the edges. I have had to treat them before for lack of iron but never have seen the black.

Sweet gum tree losing leaves. To control this disease remove and destroy all infected fallen leaves and apply a systemic fungicide called benomyl immediately once symptoms are visible. They are killed by the frost and turn black.