What Is Wrong With My Smoke Bush?

Are the leaves rolled?

Is the foliage yellowing in places and dropping prematurely, growth is slowed?

Do the leaves have yellow, brown, or black spots?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the leaves pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Do the leaves and fruits have black patches?

Obliquebanded leafroller, a native North American pest that feeds on a wide range of plants, can be a problem with a smoke bush. If the infestation isn't severe, handpick the rolled leaves with caterpillars. Spray more heavily infested trees with light horticultural oil according to the directions of the label to smother the insects and any eggs.

These symptoms usually indicate a fungal disease - Verticillium wilt. This soilborne fungal disease makes leaves yellow, wilt, and fall off before the entire branch dies. Avoid planting trees near strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants as they are susceptible to Verticillium wilt. Soil solarization may prevent the disease.

Your plant is suffering from a fungal leaf spot disease. Spots may enlarge rapidly, especially in wet weather. Remove and destroy all infected leaves. Spray plants with sulfur or copper to prevent the disease from spreading, especially if the weather is wet. Prevent problems by thinning plants to provide good air circulation.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thining them. Avoid making leaves wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

A scab disease caused by a fungus sometimes disfigures smoke bush leaves. Spray your plants with Bordeaux mixture when buds begin to swell and open and again 10 to 20 days later.

If the stems are with lesions, and the foliage is wilted the cause may be the stem canker. A fungal stem canker attack smoke bush on rare occasions. Stem lesions are first dark brown and later ash-gray. As these spots girdle the stem the part above wilts, collapses, breaks off, and dies. Remove and destroy infected plants or plant parts as soon as you notice them.