How to Control Leaf Spot Disease

Leaf spot disease is a fungus that causes leaves on a tree to look rusty. A severe occurrence of leaf spot disease can cause the tree to lose all its leaves and die in the infected areas. Fortunately, it rarely affects the tree to this extent. Leaf spot disease, when under control, usually only lowers a tree's aesthetic value. Follow these steps to control leaf spot disease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Be sanitary. Rake your leaves regularly in the autumn. Dispose of them immediately. If the leaves are diseased, the infection will spread quickly.
2. Prune the diseased portions of the tree to control spread to the uninfected parts. The wind can blow the spores to other portions of the trees.
3. Water the tree at ground level to prevent the leaves from getting wet. When watering your lawn keep the sprinkler low. Leaves that are constantly wet are a breeding ground for leaf spot disease.
4. Allow spacing between trees. Either prune branches back and away from each other or, if just starting to grow, allow a large amount of space between them. Branches that are overlapping can't dry quickly and become more susceptible to leaf spot disease.
5. Spray fungicide in the spring if necessary. It will not cure infection that is already there, but it can control the spread of it. Begin spraying when the trees' buds break through. Repeat the spray three times in 12- to 14-day intervals.

Tips & Warnings

• Leaf scorch is often mistaken as leaf spot disease. If you are concerned that you have leaf spot disease have it examined by an arborist to be sure.

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