Why Does My Clementine Tree Look Unhealthy?

Do the twigs die back, leaves drop prematurely, dark staining on fruit, leaves, and twigs is present?

Is there a sudden wilting, followed by a slow decline, leaves are chlorotic and dropping from the tree, the trunk may have an area of rotting bark at the base?

Are there blackened and water-soaked areas on the roots, leaves are yellowing and stems wilting?

Are there any water-soaked or black lesions on leaf petioles that rapidly expand along the leaf midrib, cankers are present on twigs and branches?

Are there any raised lesions on leaves, often at leaf margin or tip, lesions may also be present on twigs and fruits?

Is the one limb or canopy area yellowing, there is a distinct blotchy mottling on leaf blades, the fruit is small and misshapen?

Are the trees stunted, leaves are shorter and broader, cupped and upright?

Is there a sap oozing from cracks in the bark, the bark is cracking, drying and falling off?

Is the foliage light green, new growth is poor, severely infected trees are stunted and bushy with chlorotic leaves and brittle twigs?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Are the leaves covered in coarse stippling and may appear silvery?

Are there any translucent or white tunnels in leaves?

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Plant resistant cultivars. Both systemic and non-systemic fungicides are effective at controlling the disease and are usually applied shortly before flowering and during fruit development.

Armillaria root rot is a fungal disease that cannot be effectively controlled once it has become established. Diseased or dead plants should be uprooted and removed.

Your clementine may have been affected by Blackroot rot. The only control is to plant new plants in well-drained soil at a new site as black root rot fungus can survive up to 10 years in the ground.

Blast is a bacterial disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae. Symptoms are most severe on the south-facing side of the tree. In areas where the disease is severe, copper fungicides should be applied in fall and winter before the first rains.

Citrus canker is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis. Bacteria are spread by rain and it may enter clementine through pruning wounds. All infected trees should be removed and destroyed. Cultural control of the disease should focus on controlling leafminer populations, utilizing windbreaks and applications of copper sprays.

Huanglongbing is a bacterial disease that can be found in Florida. It's transmitted by Asian citrus psyllid. Control strategies should focus on populations of the insect vectors, reducing inoculum and planting trees in conditions unfavorable to the spread of the pathogen.

Stubborn disease is a bacterial disease transmitted by leafhoppers. It can cause serious losses in hot, dry conditions. If a young orchard becomes infected, it should be removed and replanted with healthy material. Control leafhoppers to prevent problems.

Phytophthora gummosis is a disease that can develop rapidly in moist, cool conditions and is spread by water splash. Plant disease-free nursery stock. Plant trees in well-draining soil and avoid injuries to bark on the trunk. Trunk wraps can protect from freezing injury.

Tristeza disease is caused by a virus transmitted by aphids. Remove and destroy all infected plants. Quarantine procedures are used to control Tristeza and prevent the pathogen from entering areas that are currently free of the disease.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

These symptoms indicate thrips. Severely infected plant parts should be removed and destroyed. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings, their natural predators. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

Wandering, white or translucent tunnels in leaves are caused by citrus leafminers. Prune off and destroy all infested leaves.

If the leaves are covered by the sticky substances the culprits are white soft scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.