When the enchanting hornbeam leaves curl, it's not a pretty sight. As a gardener, you quickly ask yourself what diseases could be present. Here you can find out which causes are possible and how you can react now.
Why do hornbeam leaves curl and how to treat them?
If the leaves of a hornbeam tree curl, there is usually an infestation with the hornbeam gall mite. They suck out the leaves, causing the curling. To treat the infestation, affected branches should be cut off and discarded.
When do hornbeam leaves curl?
Curled leaves on hornbeams indicate apest infestationcaused by thehornbeam gall mite. The animals cannot be seen with the naked eye. They overwinter on the leaves. In the spring they suck them out easily. The leaf then thickens at the edges and curls up. This causes the pest to cause the corresponding damage. The particular mite has specialized on the tree species. Especially if there are a lot of hornbeams in a hedge, this can attract animals.
Can the infestation lead to further diseases?
The curled leaves appear particularly severeaesthetically unattractive These generally do not cause a life-threatening disease. Some plants can even recover from an infestation. However, it looks extremely unsightly when the entire foliage curls. After all, the hornbeam is usually planted precisely because of its beautiful leaves. Or it should form a reliable privacy screen as a hedge. These things are thwarted by the pest. This is another reason why you should take quick and consistent action against the animals.
How do I treat a hornbeam with curled leaves?
CuttingRemove the affected branches consistently anddispose of the clippings in a closed organic waste bin. This will prevent the pest from spreading further on the hornbeam or elsewhere in your garden. In addition to hornbeams, the animals can also make life difficult for other plants. If the infestation is particularly advanced, you can also use a chemical control agent from a garden supply store. However, if you intervene early, this shouldn't be necessary.
How do I prevent curled leaves?
Improve the supply of moisture byMulchingof the site andFertilizing the plant in spring. By strengthening the tree's he althy growth, you improve its resistance to disease and pest attacks. If the soil is not too dry, pests don't have an easy time of it. You use these materials for fertilization:
- Compost
- Horn shavings
Tip
Avoid monocultures
It's best to make sure that there are other plants around the hornbeam. Pests such as the hornbeam gall mite prefer to attack garden areas with monocultures. When designing your garden, you can also to a certain extent prevent hornbeam infestation and curled leaves.
