Powdery Mildew Fungus On Trees – How To Treat Powdery Mildew On Trees

Powdery mildew is an easy disease to recognize. On trees with powdery mildew, you’ll see a white or gray powdery growth on the leaves. It’s usually not lethal in trees, but it can disfigure fruit trees and limit their productivity. You can prevent powdery mildew fungus on trees by using proper cultural practices but treating powdery mildew on trees is also possible. Read on if you want to learn how to treat trees with powdery mildew.

Powdery Mildew Fungus on Trees

Powdery mildew attacks many plants, and trees with powdery mildew are no exception. Trees can be infected by different fungi. Most powdery mildew fungus on trees release overwintering spores when conditions are moist. Moist conditions are also necessary for the spores to germinate and infect a tree. Once a tree is infected, however, the fungus grows well without humidity.

Preventing and Treating Powdery Mildew on Trees

Trees with powdery mildew are not usually damaged seriously by the fungus, but fruit trees are the exception. The disease attacks new buds, shoots and flowers on fruit trees, distorting new growth. On apple trees, as well as apricot, nectarine, and peach trees, you’ll see web-like scars on the immature fruit of infected trees. A rough corky spot develops at the point of infection. If you are wondering how to treat powdery mildew on trees, you’ll do best to give the trees excellent care to prevent the infection in the first place. Prevent powdery mildew fungus on trees by planting them in sunny sites, trimming inner branches to increase air circulation, and limiting fertilizer. Treating powdery mildew on trees begins by vigilance. Keep your eye on your fruit trees as the new shoots develop in the springtime, looking for symptoms of powdery mildew. If you see deformed, puckered leaves, it’s time to get out the pruners. Disinfect the cutting edges, then prune out and discard the diseased portions of the plant immediately. At the same time, apply fungicides to protect the remaining leaves on the fruit tree. You’ll need to repeat the fungicide applications according to label instructions to protect the trees over the entire season.