Bacterial Scorch in Trees

Описание: Host: Joanna Coles, Warren County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Guest: Dr. Ellen Crocker, Forest Health Extension Specialist

Topic: Bacterial Scorch in Trees

“Bacterial leaf scorch is a chronic, eventually fatal disease that is most noticeable in the early fall. Symptoms include premature leaf browning, marginal necrosis and defoliation. Infected trees leaf-out normally the following year; however, leaves on a few more branches turn prematurely brown in late summer. These events repeat themselves over a period of several years until the entire tree turns prematurely brown. Trees gradually decline over the years as twigs, branches, and limbs die from continual defoliation. Because symptoms of this disease can sometimes be confused with other abiotic, stress-related problems, it is advisable to have the diagnosis confirmed with a special laboratory test. There is no cure for bacterial leaf scorch, so one should expect diseased trees to disease. The best remedy for bacterial leaf scorch is tree replacement. Begin planting non-susceptible replacement trees early so that they will attain a reasonable size before the diseased ones are removed. Newly infected trees can be made to look somewhat presentable for a few more years if the dead wood is pruned out. A study conducted by the University of Maryland demonstrated a possible correlation between bacterial leaf scorch and water stress. Based on their results, Kentucky tree owners and landscape managers may be able to prolong the lives of their scorch-infected trees by applying supplemental water during the hot, dry parts of the growing season. There are commercial tree-injection products containing the antibiotic oxytetracycline which are sold and used for the management of bacterial leaf scorch disease. Injections, which are made into the root flare at the base of the tree, may provide temporary remission of the symptoms. These treatments do not cure infected trees, but they may prolong the life of the tree.” Caption source information and more details about bacterial scorch in trees can be found in these publications:

ky-caps.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-or-w-12.pdf

plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-or-w-12.pdf