Extension Logo
Extension Logo
University of Minnesota Extension
extension.umn.edu

Leaf spot diseases of trees and shrubs

Quick facts

  • Leaf spot diseases weaken trees and shrubs by interrupting photosynthesis.
  • Most leaf spot diseases affect only a small percentage of the tree's overall leaf area, and are a minor stress on the health of the tree.
  • Leaf spot diseases should be taken seriously if they result in moderate to complete leaf loss two to four years in a row.
  • Leaf loss during several consecutive growing seasons can result in reduced growth and increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases.

There are many leaf spot diseases that occur on a wide range of native and ornamental trees and shrubs. Many leaf spot diseases have similar biology and therefore very similar management options.

Information about some of these diseases is included below along with management information applicable to all leaf spot diseases of shade trees and shrubs.

Marssonina leaf spot

Managing leaf spot diseases

Leaf spot diseases will not seriously harm your plants, but there are things you can do that when done together, can reduce the disease on the tree in following years.

  • Rake up and destroy fallen leaves before the first snowfall to eliminate locations where diseases can survive to re-infect the plant the following growing season.
  • Do not overcrowd plants — use size at maturity as a spacing guide when planting.
  • Prune trees or shrubs to increase light penetration and improve air circulation throughout the canopy.
  • Wet conditions promote disease, so water trees at the base and be careful not to splash water on leaves. A drip or soaker hose works best for this. Avoid sprinklers.
  • Reduce stress to your tree:
    • Water your tree throughout the growing season so that the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil is moist, especially during dry summer periods.
      • Soil should be allowed to dry before watering again.
    • Maintain a 3- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch around your tree.
      • Do not mound the mulch around the trunk of the tree but lay a flat layer with at least a 2-inch space between the mulch and stem to allow for air movement.
      • Annually reapply mulch and inspect to ensure levels are maintained.
  • Do not fertilize trees and shrubs suffering from leaf spot diseases, unless it is recommended by a soil test to correct a nutrient deficiency.
  • Fungicides are not necessary unless a tree has lost all of its leaves several years in a row.
  • Fungicides are protective and need to be applied before symptoms appear on the leaves.
    • Proper timing of fungicide applications can vary depending on the biology of the disease.
    • High-pressure spraying equipment is needed in order to get complete coverage of the canopy of large trees.
    • Hire a professional arborist to treat leaf spot diseases in large trees.

Identifying leaf spot diseases

 | 

Unique leaf spot diseases

 | 

Michelle Grabowski, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2018

Page survey

© 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.