What Is Wrong With My Damson Tree?

Do the young fruits have crescent-shaped scars on them?

Do the fruits have small brown spots that enlarge and grow fuzzy in humid weather?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the older leaves turning yellow and wilting, an overall decline in plant vigor is apparent?

Are there any small translucent spots on leaves, spots later turn black?

Are the leaves curled, distorted, and yellow?

Do the twigs and branches have tarry, black galls on them?

Are the branches wilting and failing to produce leaves?

Are there any sunken, elliptical lesions often oozing reddish gum on the branches?

Crescent-shaped scars on fruits are caused by beetles - Plum curculios. These pests are common mostly in the Rockies region. You can control their numbers by gently shaking the tree and the branches or hitting the branches with a padded mallet and when the bugs fall, collect and destroy them. If you do this twice a day, you won't have trouble with them.

These symptoms are caused by fungal disease - Brown rot (Monilinia fructicola). Other symptoms of brown rot may be withered blossoms, mummified fruits, and brown leaves. Remove and destroy both mummified fruits and twigs or branches with gummy lesions. For more control, spray sulfur early to protect blooms, then again later to protect the fruit.

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 below to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. Any commercial fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Verticillium wilt. Verticillium infects a wide range of plant species. Destroy all infected plants, as there is no cure. Prevent problems by presoaking seed in a 10 percent bleach solution.

Bacterial leaf spot causes circular translucent spots scattered over the leaf surface. These spots turn brownish-black and may spread to form large patches of dead tissue. To prevent the spread of this disease, avoid working around wet plants. Remove and destroy affected parts. Spray Bordeaux mix on remaining plants.

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects can vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. They 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.

Black knot is a fungal gall that attacks damson trees. Prune off all affected twigs and branches several inches below the affected area.

Environmental issues might have caused your plants to look unhealthy. Damson trees should be planted in a spot with full sun. Soil should be evenly moist at all times but not flooded or soaked. Use mulch to ensure even moisture in the ground and thin all surrounding trees that might have cast a shadow on your trees. Fertilize them only once, just before vegetation season.

These symptoms indicate bacterial canker. Prune off wilted or dying branches below the infected area. You should sterilize pruning tools in isopropyl alcohol beforehand. Copper sprays help in the control of the disease.

Valsa canker causes branches to wilt and fail to produce leaves. Prune off wilted or dying branches below the infected area. You should sterilize pruning tools in isopropyl alcohol beforehand. Copper sprays help in the control of the disease.