symptoms
Symptoms
- circleSilvery sheen developing on leaves, usually starting on one branch
- circlePurplish-brown staining visible in cut branch wood
- circleBracket-shaped fungal growth on dead wood, and gradual branch dieback
help
Causes
Caused by the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum, which enters through fresh pruning wounds or other injuries, particularly in autumn and winter, and is common in Prunus species.
healing
Treatment
Prune out dead and dying wood back to clean tissue, ideally in summer when infection risk is lower, and remove and burn prunings and fungal brackets to reduce spore spread.
shield
Prevention
Prune susceptible trees only in summer during dry weather, avoid unnecessary wounds, and promptly remove and destroy dead wood bearing bracket fungi.