My Ficus Tree Leaves Are Turning Yellow

Identification

• Ficus is susceptible to the armillaria root rot caused by armillaria mellea. Also referred to as shoestring or oak root fungal disease, armillaria is among the fatal plant diseases. The fungus enters and infects the plants through the roots.

Damage

• The fungus infects the cambial tissues that carry water and nutrients throughout the plant. The roots and lower trunk are affected first. The damage is characterized by yellowing and stunted foliage accompanied by leaf drop. As disease spreads, the branches start to die starting at the top of tree. Mushrooms often appear at the tree base. The entire plant eventually dies.

Management

• Plant the tree in clean soil that does not contain root remnants from previous plantings. This is especially important in areas with known cases of the fungus. Use resistant varieties. The University of California Extension recommends air drying the soil prior to planting.