Gum Tree Leaf Diseases

Through insects like the june bug caterpillar and others a tree may lose a great amount of leaves.

Gum tree leaf diseases. Normally this does not pose a danger to the tree. 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. Heart or trunk rot is a fungus that destroys the tree from the inside out. And grows best in u s.

The fact sheet below has been prepared to raise awareness of eucalyptus rust a disease exotic to australia. Younger trees are most susceptible. By the time the eucalyptus tree s dropping branches are discovered the tree is already dying. Black leaf spot is one of several leaf spot diseases caused by fungus.

Leaf spots multiply at the end of the growing season. Anthracnose is related to excessive moisture and often follows moist springtime weather. The symptoms include raised black spots with ragged edges on leaves. 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.

Leaf infections called leafspots are caused by a variety of fungi and some bacteria on many 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. 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. But if a tree gets eaten bare year after year this can affect the trees vitality.

Department of agriculture. Also called sour gum tupelo or black tupelo the black gum tree nyssa sylvatica comes from the eastern u s. Leaf spot diseases should be taken seriously if they result in moderate to complete leaf loss two to four years in a row. Familiarise yourself with the contents of the fact sheet particularly for signs of the disease and how to report any suspect symptoms you may find.

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. Leaf problems with a black gum tree. An especially harmful version of this disease is called anthracnose which attacks many tree species including dogwood and sycamore positive identification usually requires laboratory diagnosis.