Tree, Plant, Shrub Pest & Disease Control
Island LawnCare
We offer safe & effective disease contol plans to fit your specific needs. Bagworms, Beetles, Caterpillars, Aphids, Animals, Fungus, Bacterias, Drought, Overwatering, or Over Fertilization.
We have the plan you need!
REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE Click Here
ATTENTION KENT ISLAND & SURROUNDING AREAS:
There have been numerous reports of fungal diseased plants in the area rapidly destroying large amounts of expensive trees, bushes and shrubs known as Entomosporium mespili, the fungus that causes photinia leaf spot and eventually kills the plant.
Like most plant fungi, this one thrives in the cool, moist environment of the fall and spring and attacks the most vulnerable new growth and the disease spreads from there. The photinia fungus won’t kill the plant immediately or even during the first season, but will return year after year until the constant leaf drop and the depletion of nourishment that results weakens the plant to the point of death. The first signs of photinia leaf spot are almost unnoticeable. Tiny, round red spots appear on leaf surfaces and because the leaf color of the new growth they attack, the darker red spots are easy to ignore.
In a matter of days, the spots enlarge and eventually become dark purplish circles surrounding gray, dying tissue. The photinia fungus usually spreads from new growth to old only because of the new leaves making it easier for the spores to take hold. Once the fungus takes hold, especially in the red tipped photinia, the disease’s circles continue to grow and merge until large unsightly ‘sores’ cover the dying leaves. The production of spores can be seen in the black blotches inside the circular damage. At this point, there is nothing to be done to keep the disease from running its course. Recognizing Life Cycles in Bush Diseases is important to understand this cycle for the treatment of photinia and disease eradication. The fungal spores spend the winter in fallen, infected leaves or in late emerging new growth. These spores are released into the air in late winter or early spring where they land on any nearby bushes and shrubs. Diseases like this one tend to spread from the bottom to the top of the infected plant because the spores can’t travel that far. This inability to move any great distance is also the reason photinia leaf spot may attack a shrub in one area of the yard while another area remains untouched. During the rainy weather of spring, the spores continue to spread through water splashing from one leaf to the next until the entire shrub is infected.
Prevention and Treatment of Common Photinia Bush Disease
Is there anything that can be done about red tip photinia disease? Yes, but it’s a matter of prevention rather than cure.
First and foremost, rake up all fallen leaves, and if the shrub is already infected, remove all affected leave and branches. Cover the area under and around the shrubs with new mulch to cover any leaf parts and photinia fungus spores that remain. Do not repeatedly trim endangered shrubs to encourage the new red growth. Keep trimming and shearing confined to the dormant winter months and dispose of all clippings.
Consider replacing dead or dying shrubs with alternatives. A mixed hedge will be more resistant to photinia bush diseases if the susceptible shrubs are placed farther apart. Remember, the spores don’t travel very far. Stagger new plantings rather than creating the traditional ‘wall’ of shrubs. This will increase light and airflow around the shrub and decrease the conditions in which the fungus thrives.
There are chemical treatments available. Chlorothalonil, propiconazole, and myclobutanil are the effective ingredients to look for in available fungicides. Be aware, however, treatment must begin early and be repeated every 7-14 days throughout the late winter and spring and again in the fall when the weather cools.
Photinia disease can be devastating, but with diligence and good garden housekeeping practices, the fungus can be driven from your yard.
Our experienced staff will construct and manage a disease control plan for the toughest jobs at affordable rates. Disease & Pest Clean up, Trimming & Effective Treatment Plans that fit your budget.
FREE Estimates
Click here to Schedule
We offer safe & effective disease contol plans to fit your specific needs. Bagworms, Beetles, Caterpillars, Aphids, Animals, Fungus, Bacterias, Drought, Overwatering, or Over Fertilization.
We have the plan you need!
REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE Click Here
ATTENTION KENT ISLAND & SURROUNDING AREAS:
There have been numerous reports of fungal diseased plants in the area rapidly destroying large amounts of expensive trees, bushes and shrubs known as Entomosporium mespili, the fungus that causes photinia leaf spot and eventually kills the plant.
Like most plant fungi, this one thrives in the cool, moist environment of the fall and spring and attacks the most vulnerable new growth and the disease spreads from there. The photinia fungus won’t kill the plant immediately or even during the first season, but will return year after year until the constant leaf drop and the depletion of nourishment that results weakens the plant to the point of death. The first signs of photinia leaf spot are almost unnoticeable. Tiny, round red spots appear on leaf surfaces and because the leaf color of the new growth they attack, the darker red spots are easy to ignore.
In a matter of days, the spots enlarge and eventually become dark purplish circles surrounding gray, dying tissue. The photinia fungus usually spreads from new growth to old only because of the new leaves making it easier for the spores to take hold. Once the fungus takes hold, especially in the red tipped photinia, the disease’s circles continue to grow and merge until large unsightly ‘sores’ cover the dying leaves. The production of spores can be seen in the black blotches inside the circular damage. At this point, there is nothing to be done to keep the disease from running its course. Recognizing Life Cycles in Bush Diseases is important to understand this cycle for the treatment of photinia and disease eradication. The fungal spores spend the winter in fallen, infected leaves or in late emerging new growth. These spores are released into the air in late winter or early spring where they land on any nearby bushes and shrubs. Diseases like this one tend to spread from the bottom to the top of the infected plant because the spores can’t travel that far. This inability to move any great distance is also the reason photinia leaf spot may attack a shrub in one area of the yard while another area remains untouched. During the rainy weather of spring, the spores continue to spread through water splashing from one leaf to the next until the entire shrub is infected.
Prevention and Treatment of Common Photinia Bush Disease
Is there anything that can be done about red tip photinia disease? Yes, but it’s a matter of prevention rather than cure.
First and foremost, rake up all fallen leaves, and if the shrub is already infected, remove all affected leave and branches. Cover the area under and around the shrubs with new mulch to cover any leaf parts and photinia fungus spores that remain. Do not repeatedly trim endangered shrubs to encourage the new red growth. Keep trimming and shearing confined to the dormant winter months and dispose of all clippings.
Consider replacing dead or dying shrubs with alternatives. A mixed hedge will be more resistant to photinia bush diseases if the susceptible shrubs are placed farther apart. Remember, the spores don’t travel very far. Stagger new plantings rather than creating the traditional ‘wall’ of shrubs. This will increase light and airflow around the shrub and decrease the conditions in which the fungus thrives.
There are chemical treatments available. Chlorothalonil, propiconazole, and myclobutanil are the effective ingredients to look for in available fungicides. Be aware, however, treatment must begin early and be repeated every 7-14 days throughout the late winter and spring and again in the fall when the weather cools.
Photinia disease can be devastating, but with diligence and good garden housekeeping practices, the fungus can be driven from your yard.
Our experienced staff will construct and manage a disease control plan for the toughest jobs at affordable rates. Disease & Pest Clean up, Trimming & Effective Treatment Plans that fit your budget.
FREE Estimates
Click here to Schedule
