A dying or diseased plum tree can be caused by bugs or pests, rain, mildew, bacteria, hot and cold weather, frost, no pollination, too much water, or a lack of water. Plum trees are resilient trees and there are many ways to treat bugs and diseases.
How do you treat a diseased plum tree?
Prune out all infected branches in late winter (late February through the end of March) and destroy them by burning, burying, or throwing them away. Remove at least 3-4 inches of healthy tissue below each knot to ensure elimination of the fungus.
How do you treat shot holes in plum trees?
Shot hole is managed primarily with fungicide treatments to protect buds and twigs from infection. In orchards where twig infections are prevalent, the efficacy of the dormant treatment can be improved by pruning out and destroying infected wood.
Why are my plum tree leaves full of holes?
Answer: Plums, apricots and peaches all get a bacterial disease called “bacterial leaf spot.” It is also commonly called “shot hole disease,” because it looks like someone stood back and shot the leaves with a shotgun. The disease spends the winter in the stems.
Why are the leaves on my plum tree turning brown?
Rust affecting plum trees is caused by the fungus Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae. It’s normally first noticed in August time with the underside of the leaves having a rusty-brown coating to them.
What does a fungus look like on a tree?
Fungus, like most tree diseases, will show itself in one of just a few ways. You may see abnormal growth, discoloration, or wilting in the leaves or needles. You may see discoloration or growth (scabs) in the bark. You may see fungus growing on your tree.
What disease do plum trees have?
Black knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, is a very destructive disease of plum and prune. It is also quite common on wild plum and cherry as well as on Prunus species in the landscape. The disease affects only woody tissues and can develop on twigs, branches, and scaffold limbs.
Does shot hole disease go away?
In most cases, trees and shrubs recover from these diseases and no treatment is necessary. On cherry laurel shrubs, prune out and discard symptomatic foliage. On high-value cherry trees or trees with a history of severe fungal leaf spot disease, the use of fungicides may help.
What do you spray shot holes with?
Apply fixed copper fungicides or certain synthetic fungicides such as chlorothalonil. It may be necessary to repeat treatment in late winter before buds swell or between full bloom/petal fall on highly susceptible apricots, or if the spring sees extended wet weather conditions.
What is the best fungicide for plum trees?
Effective fungicides include fosetyl-al, which is applied to the leaves every 60 days, and mefenoxam, which can be applied in the early spring and fall. However, the best thing to do is prevent these fungal diseases by not overwatering and choosing a site with well-drained soil.
How do I protect my plum trees from bugs?
Controlling Pests on Plums
Kill the beetles by plopping them into some soapy water. Aphids can be controlled by spraying the tree with Neem oil at the first sign of infestation. Rust mites can be controlled by spraying with a sulfur spray in the early spring.
How do I know my plum tree is dying?
Phytophthora root rot will cause a plum tree to wilt and die. The leaves start to become dull and turn into red, green, purple, or yellow. What is this? The upper roots start to darken, while the bark starts to show discoloration, both in the outer and inner layers.
When Should I spray my plum tree?
Spray every 10 days during fruit development. STOP spraying a week or so prior to harvesting. Your local extension office or a good nursery can help you further to create a schedule for spraying plum trees and offer advice on products and/or non-chemical options for controlling disease and pests on your plum tree.
How do you keep plum trees healthy?
Grow plum trees in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune in summer and mulch in autumn with home-made compost or well-rotted animal manure. Harvest the plums when ripe and juicy.
What does brown rot look like?
What does it look like? Infected fruit typically develop spreading, firm, brown spots that rapidly develop into rotting. These rotting areas will normally be surrounded by conidial pustules, often in concentric circles. These pustules resemble small, raised white-cream spots.
How do I get rid of leaf curl on my plum tree?
Severe aphid infestations require growing season applications of a leaf curl plum aphid treatment such as neem oil, imidacloprid, pyrethrins, or non-toxic insecticidal soap.
Can you save a tree that has fungus?
It is difficult if not impossible to save a tree that has been attacked by fungi. Prevention is the key as a healthy tree is less likely to become a host for the fungi. The methods for keeping a tree healthy include watering during drought periods and following a maintenance fertilization schedule.
How can you tell if a tree is diseased?
Six signs of a diseased or dying tree:
- Bark abnormalities. Tree bark should be continuous without deep cracks or holes.
- Decay. Typically trees decay from the inside out.
- Dead branches. They appear dry and will break easily.
- Leaf discoloration. Leaves should appear healthy when they are in season.
- Poor architecture.
Should you remove fungus from a tree?
Treatment: Do not try to remove mushroom conks from a tree, you may inadvertently release billions of spores that can infect surrounding trees and plants. Call a professional tree service to evaluate the extent of the damage to the tree and recommend a course of action.
What is wrong with my plums?
Common problems
Plums can be prone to diseases such as bacterial canker, honey fungus, blossom wilt, brown rot, silver leaf, plum rust and pocket plum. Potential pest problems include plum moth, aphids, winter moth caterpillar. The fruit fly – spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is likely to become an increasing problem.
Why are the leaves on my plum tree curling?
Aphids feed by sucking sap from the foliage. Leaf-curling plum aphid secretes chemicals into the foliage that cause the young leaves to develop in a crumpled and distorted fashion.