Cherry Laurel Fungus
Cherry laurel is also known as Prunus caroliniana, which is a member of the genus Prunus, This evergreen is characterized by shiny green foliage and aromatic bowl-shaped blooms that develop in thick clusters each spring. Typically used for a hedge or screen, cherry laurel is susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases that can damage the health and vigor of the tree. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Root rot is a common problem in cherry laurel. Most fungal diseases result from the Armillaria fungi, which often cause shoestring rot. Cherry laurel infected with this type of root rot typically begin a slow decline in health. Infected trees eventually die from this fungal disease. Phytophthora root rot is another fungal disease common in cherry laurel. It is similar to shoestring rot, but the symptoms vary slightly. Both of these diseases are caused by fungi that live in the soil for many years.
Effects
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Shoestring root rot causes symptoms such as decayed roots, white fans of mycelium underneath the bark and the growth of mushrooms on or near infected cherry laurels. Phytophthora root rot causes cherry laurel to exhibit symptoms such as wet decayed bark and decaying roots. A dark brown color stains trees underneath the bark of infected trees with this fungus.
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Cultural Control
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Cherry laurel infested with boring insects is at an increased risk of developing root rot diseases because holes made by the insects offer entry points for the fungi, which may also gain entry through scars caused by careless mowing and pruning. Drought-produced stress also increases the risk of fungal diseases.
Chemical Control
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Cherry laurel with root rot diseases will slowly decline and eventually die from the disease. Dieback, undersized or off-colored leaves and increased trunk sprouts signal the tree is in decline. Such damage is not reversible. No fungicides will reduce the effects or prevent the infection of root rot fungi in cherry laurel.
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