Diseases of the Eastern Redbud Tree

Leaf Anthracnose

• Leaf anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by Mycosphaerella cercidicola and is cited as one of the three main diseases of eastern redbud by the United States Department of Forestry. The disease is characterized by the appearance of lesions on the foliage. The fungal spores overwinter on the dead foliage under the tree and start to emerge during wet spring, spreading quickly to the new, succulent leaves. Infected foliage soon starts to defoliate during summer. If not controlled in time, leaf anthracnose starts to create cankers on the petioles and stems. Management of disease include promoting tree health, removal of all infected and fallen foliage and application of recommended fungicides.

Verticillium Wilt

• The United States Department of Forestry lists verticillium wilt as among the three worst diseases of the eastern redbud that often kills the trees, more commonly in the Midwestern United States.Early symptoms of the disease include wilting, curling, and interveinal reddening or yellowing of foliage followed by death and defoliation. As disease progresses, entire branches start to die. Verticilium wilt disease starts from the roots and moves upwards through the tree as the fungus colonizes the water conducting structures in the infected tree. Control options include the selection of resistant varieties and avoiding root and collar injury to the tree. Make sure tree is growing vigorously, paying special attention to watering and fertilization on early signs of disease. There are no chemical control options for verticillium wilt.

Botryosphaeria Canker

• Botryosphaeria canker caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is the most serious potential disease of eastern redbud as cited by the United States Department of Forestry and can potentially kill whole groves of the eastern redbud. The fungus leads to the development of cankers that girdle and kill stems and branches. The infected tree foliage wilts, browns and dies before the branches are killed. Botryosphaeria canker is most prevalent in trees that are weakened due to some other disease or poor cultural conditions. Management includes pruning infected and dying plant areas, fertilizing adequately and improving overall growth conditions of the tree.