Leaf spot disease has little effect on the hornbeam, but can affect its visual appearance. Below you will find out how you can recognize the disease and how you can combat it quickly and easily.
What to do about leaf spot on hornbeams?
In principle, leaf spot does not pose a major threat to the hornbeam. Therefore, it is not absolutely necessary to take measures. However, in order to prevent an unsightly leaf appearance and severe leaf loss, you should remove foliage affected by the leaf disease
How do you recognize leaf spot disease on hornbeams?
The damage caused by leaf spot is limited to discoloration of the leaves of the hornbeam. Typicallyred-brown to blackish leaf spots with blurred edges occur. There are large numbers of tiny spore deposits in the spots on the underside of the leaf. However, these can usually only be seen with a magnifying glass.
Particularly in years with high rainfall, leaf spot is often accompanied bypremature leaf fall.
How does hornbeam develop leaf spot?
Leaf spot disease in hornbeams is usually caused byfungal pathogens, and more rarely by viruses or bacteria. The causes areunfavorable location conditionsandcare errors, specifically:
- persistent leaf wetness (watering the leaves, longer periods of heavy rain)
- unbalanced nutrient ratios (overfertilization, especially with nitrogen)
- Lack of light (shady location)
- plant spacing too small
Note: If the hornbeam is very shady, the leaves dry more slowly after heavy rain, which attracts fungi and thus promotes leaf spot disease.
How do I prevent leaf spot on the hornbeam?
In order to prevent leaf spot disease on the hornbeam, the main thing to pay attention to is a suitable, bright location and adequate care. Remember that the tree needs little fertilizer and be sure to avoid watering the leaves.
Additional recommendation: Collect fallen leaves promptly and dispose of them. Fungal spores tend to nest in them, which then reach other leaves through rain and wind and cause new infestations.
Tip
Leaf spot as a harmless fungal disease
Leaf spot is the most harmless fungal disease. But there are also significantly more dangerous fungal pathogens. If your hornbeam suffers from powdery mildew, you should act quickly to prevent anything worse from happening. It appears as a whitish coating on the leaves. In the case of a severe infestation, often only a fungicide helps, otherwise it is sufficient to remove the infected leaves and dispose of them with household waste.
