What’s wrong with my Photinias?

With the mild, humid weather North Texas has had recently, Red Tip Photinias have been hit hard with a fungal infection called Entomosporium Leaf Spot. “Leaf Spot” for short.

Leaf Spot on Photinias is easily identifiable. These are some of it’s characteristics:

• Brown spots dotting the leaves in random patterns.
• Defoliation of the tree. (The leaves will begin to fall off.)
• Quickly spreads.
• Photinias are very susceptible to it.
• Will go away after the moist environment goes away.

This fungal infection can often times be very aggressive. If you notice the leaves falling off within just a few short days it may be time to do something about it.

Is it Treatable?

Leaf Spot is treatable, however it is a limited treatment. Unfortunately we can’t glue your leaves back on, but a fungicide foliar spray will kill the spores on the leaves, which prevents it from spreading. The goal is to prevent the new growth from being infected when the buds open up.

Tree Shepherds usually recommends treatment because an aggressive case can completely defoliate the shrub and it may not survive the summer. Please understand that Entomosporium leaf spot on Photinia’s isn’t guaranteed to kill your shrub, but since the risk exists, we usually recommend treatment. The alternative is to wait it out. The fungus will die back after the weather becomes hot and dry.

One thing we recommend home owners do is to keep the dead leaves off of the root system so that the dirt has a chance to dry out. If it stays wet the ground becomes a ripe environment for fungus to breed.

As always, watering is very important to shrubs and trees. In the absence of a good rain, water deeply once per week.

How much does it cost?

A fungicide treatment starts at $100 and goes up. The cost completely depends on the number and size of the shrubs that you have. Please give Tree Shepherds a call for a free estimate! 972-317-9598