Help! Worried my hornbeam has a fungal infection.

[Evans]

I’ve started to notice these black spots, burnt edges, and holes developing in some of my hornbeam leaves. At first I thought it was sunburn but after hearing many people discuss how their hornbeams can tolerate full sun I am starting to think it’s a fungal infection. The tree does seem semi healthy because it’s constantly pushing new growth, but I’m worried in going down the road to lose my favourite tree.

Please help!

 

[VAFisher]

To prevent fungal issues, I use the bonide systemic granules. A scoop a couple times a year does the trick for me. Since I started using it, I've not had any noticeable fungal issues on maples or elms and it seems to work pretty well on pines too to control needle cast. I don't even bother with sprays anymore.

I would get some from Amazon and give your hornbeam a treatment.

 

[Evans]

My plan was to apply a fungicide spray this evening. Can I combine that with some sort of granules like you’ve suggested? Or would that overload the tree with chemicals?

 

[VAFisher]

Doing both shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bnana]

A few spots on some leaves, nothing to worry about. Just make sure the leaves do not stay wet too long and there is a decent airflow. That should solve it, without fungicides. I prefer solving the cause instead of the symptoms.

There are very few trees that have no leafspots, aphids etc. As long as it's not too much it's no problem. If it starts to spread you can always treat it with fungicides.

 

[VAFisher]

I prefer a couple preventative treatments per year along with not watering leaves and making sure there is good airflow etc. I'd rather nip it in the bud before it even gets started

 

[Bnana]

I prefer not to use pesticides when I don't have to.

 

[VAFisher]

I prefer to not have fungus on my trees. To each their own.

 

[HorseloverFat]

If you ARE going to treat, and decide you are backed into a corner.. don’t forget “follow-up”... or the issues persist... with vigor.

This year I did one “operation-wide” preventative spring treatment.. it’s worked quite well.... better than waiting for my MORE receptive-to-fungus trees to possibly catch somethin’ and needing to treat EVERYTHING anyways.

I think it’s a “when you have a lot of trees”-thing!