In nurseries, apply a fungi- cide (See Table 1) every 10 to 14 days starting at bud break until all new growth matures. In land- scapes, apply fungicides only to plants previously damaged by disease. Begin fungicide sprays at leaf-out and repeat every 10 to 14 days until shoot growth has stopped. What is wrong with my holly tree?
The two most prevalent fungal holly tree diseases are tar spot and cankers. Tar Spot β Tar spot usually occurs with moist, cool springtime temperatures. This disease begins as small, yellow spots on the leaves, which eventually become reddish brown to black in color and drop out, leaving holes in the foliage.
Why are my holly bushes leaves turning brown?
Large brown splotches on the leaves, especially around the edges, can be a sign that your holly plant has sustained weather damage, such as a sudden cold snap or a prolonged dry period. If rainfall drops below 1 inch per week, water your holly to ensure the roots are receiving enough moisture. How do you treat holly leaf blight?
You can use a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water. Gather and remove any leaves that fall, and destroy them to avoid spreading the fungus to nearby trees and infecting new growth. Fungicide applications on the shoots and leaves of holly trees will mitigate the effects of holly leaf spot.
What is black coating on holly leaves?
Sooty mold, a disease caused by the Capnodium fungus, looks like a black, powdery layer of soot on holly leaves and berries. The fungus grows on honeydew, a sweet, sticky substance excreted by soft scale insects after feeding on plant sap. How do you save a dying holly tree?
Prune the existing infected leaves from the bush with pruning shears. Remove all leaves with signs of insect infestation. Apply an insecticide soap containing carbaryl to the leaves. The carbaryl will rid the bush of both scales insects and leaf miners.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How do you rejuvenate a holly tree?
Prune away one-third of the oldest, longest stems of globe-shaped hollies in the early spring, just as new growth begins. Cut branches with loppers or a pruning saw depending on the diameter of each. Repeat each year for three years to renew growth and reduce height gradually to avoid a visual hole in the landscape.
Will my holly tree come back?
Hollies generally take on an attractive symmetrical shape with little or no pruning. … If hollies become overgrown and need to be drastically reduced in size, they are tolerant of being cut back severely. In fact, a mature holly can generally be cut to the ground and will regrow vigorously from its roots.
Why are my holly leaves turning yellow and falling off?
Iron deficiency and yellow holly leaves can be caused by many things. The most common reasons for this is either overwatering or poor drainage. … Hollies like soil that has a low pH, in other words, acidic soil. If the pH is too high, the holly plant cannot process the iron and then you get yellow holly leaves.
How do you treat powdery mildew on holly bushes?
Home remedies that work include baking soda sprays (1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of insecticidal or dish soap-do not use detergent-in a gallon of water. Spray every 7 to 14 days) and solutions of milk (one part milk to two parts water, sprayed every 7 to 14 days).
Why has my holly lost its leaves?
What do you spray on holly trees?
Spray the holly tree with a general purpose fungicide every seven to 14 days from spring through summer. Thiophanate-methyl is effective against most diseases, including leaf spots and blights as well as anthracnose. Use 1 tablespoon of thiophanate-methyl per gallon of water.
What causes Phytophthora rot?
Phytophthora root and stem rot is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by Phytophthora sojae. This pathogen causes seed rots, pre- and post emergence damping off of seedlings and stem rot of plants at various growth stages. Disease development is favored by soil temperatures is above 60oF and high soil moisture.
How do you treat Holly sooty mold?
The best method to remove the mold is to soak affected plants in a water and detergent mixture. Use 1 tablespoon of household liquid detergent per gallon of water and spray it on the plants. Wait 15 minutes, then wash the detergent solution off with a strong stream of water.
Is sooty mold pathogenic?
Symptoms/Signs: Sooty mold consists of a black, powdery growth, usually on the upper surface of noni leaves. The black growth is not pathogenic (it does not penetrate leaf tissues) and exists as a thin layer that can be scraped off with one’s finger or washed off with soapy water.
Can you use neem oil on holly bushes?
You can use a neem oil or pyrethrum based insecticide to control the scale insects. You’ll need to carefully spray the undersides of the leaves of your holly. Or, you can use a systemic insecticide as a soil drench. As the insecticide is taken up by the roots it is transported to every cell in the plant.
Is my holly tree dying?
One way to tell whether a branch is alive is to gently scratch a small nick in the bark with your thumbnail. If you see a green layer beneath the outer bark, the branch still is alive. Although it may drop its damaged leaves, it will flush new ones in the spring.
What is the best fertilizer for holly trees?
Fertilizing Holly Bushes Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.
When should I rejuvenate Holly?
Holly that produce berries should be pruned in late winter, before new growth begins to emerge in spring and after threat of severe cold temperatures has passed. Tiny flowers will be produced early in spring that will then set green berries which eventually turn to red or other colors in fall.
Can I cut holly to the ground?
Hollies are normally pruned to maintain shape or to remove unsightly growth. … Don’t remove lower limbs of English holly. Instead, allow them to branch to the ground. If holly bushes require some major rejuvenation, however, they can be cut to the ground; again, this should be done during winter dormancy.
Can you bring a dead tree back to life?
While it is possible, yet sometimes difficult, to revive some sick or dying trees it is impossible to bring a dead tree back to life.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE ββin Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.