Tree and Shrub Disease

Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne fungus which can infect a variety of trees and shrubs. It is difficult to control verticillium wilt because the host which needs treated is the soil, not the plant nessasariely. This disease can occur anytime during the growing season though tends to show up moreso in mid-late summer.

Branches will be affected one at a time and may show sudden wilting to the leaves, leaf scorch, dieback, curling of leaves, stunted growth, discoloration or leaf veins, and mass seed production. There will also be streaking of the tissue once the disease starts to establish. As the fungus invades the plant via the root system, the plant will attempt to block the fungus from traveling, thus producing 'stoppers' within it's own vascular system which inadvertly also stops the flow of moisture through that portion of the plant.

There are soil injections which can be applied to help rid the soil of the fungus that causes verticillium wilt. Hot wet weather also seems to halt the development of the fungus. A deep root fertilization will help aid the tree in health, though does not cure the Verticillium Wilt.

Disease Development Favored by: Soil temperatures 70-75 degrees Corrective Measures: Plant resistant trees Prune infected branches.
Verticillium Wilt, streaking of wood	Verticillium Wilt, leaf dieback