A beech hedge is not immune to fungal attack. This guide is all about how to recognize a fungal infection. This is what to do if your beech hedge suffers from fungal infestation.
How do I recognize and treat fungal infestation on a beech hedge?
You can recognize fungal infestation on a beech hedge by mealy, white or brown deposits (mildew) and spotty discoloration (leaf spot) on the leaves. Remove affected plant parts and thoroughly disinfect your cutting tools.
How can I detect fungal infestation on my beech hedge?
The most common causes of fungal infestation on a beech hedge are infections with mildew orleaf spot fungi Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that spreads rapidly in sunny, dry conditions. The leaf spot fungi Alternaria and Septoria are fair-weather fungi, whereas Ascochyta infestations occur in damp, cool weather. Characteristic symptoms are:
- Mildew: mealy-white, later brown leaf coating, leaves turn brown and dry out.
- Leaf spot disease: black, brown, gray, red, yellow spots, 3-6 mm small with a light spot, spots converge and the foliage dies.
What to do if the beech hedge suffers from fungal infestation?
The best way to combat fungal infestation on your beech hedge is to cut off all affectedplant parts. Please use freshly sharpened, clean garden or hedge shears (€14.00 on Amazon), which you carefully disinfect before and after.
Also remove leaves and twigs that have fallen. Dispose of the infected plant material in organic waste. Disposing of them in the compost carries the risk that the fungal spores will spread again in the garden if you fertilize or mulch your plants with compost soil.
Tip
Pests that cause leaf spots
Leaf spots on beech hedges can also be due to pest infestation. The most common pests on hedge plants are spider mites, aphids and the beech ornamental louse or beech mealybug. Symptomatic of the annoying rabble are sticky substances on the leaves. In the early stages you can combat the pests with a home remedy. Spray the beech hedge repeatedly until dripping wet with a solution of soap and water (1:9) with a splash of spirit.
