The firethorn is one of the most beautiful and popular ornamental trees. With its white flowers it is a magnificent sight in spring. In autumn it is decorated with bright orange-red berries that stand out attractively against the foliage.
What do the leaves of the firethorn look like?
The somewhat coarse leaves of the firethorn aredark greencolored andglossy. Their shape isovoidto lanceolate and often with a slightly rounded tip. The edge of the approximately four centimeter long leaves is finely indented.
Is the firethorn evergreen?
The firethorndoes not shed its leaves and is therefore one of the evergreen shrubs. The tree only loses leaves that freeze in extreme cold in spring, so that it brings color to the otherwise dreary garden during the winter months.
What diseases and pests affect the leaves?
Fullmouth Weevilprefer rough leaves and don't stop at the firethorn. An infestation can be recognized by thesemicircular feeding spots(bay feeding) on the leaves. While the beetles themselves rarely pose a serious problem, theroot-eating larvae that live in the soil can cause massive damage to firethorn and should be controlled with nematodes.
Otherwise the firethorn is very resilient. Most cultivated forms of the rose family are resistant to scab, a fungal disease that causes unsightly leaf spots.
Tip
Firethorn is cut-resistant
Firethorn is extremely capable of regeneration and sprouts again even after cutting back into the old wood. The small leaves mean you can use a normal hedge trimmer for this job. Be sure to wear work gloves to protect yourself from the long, sharp thorns of the tree.
