Apply a fungicide as a soil drench to protect healthy roots. The 6 Most Common Apple Tree Diseases and How to Prevent Them, 10 Common Tomato Plant Diseases That Can Wreck Your Crop, How to Prevent Powdery Mildew on Squash Plants for a Healthy Crop, Try These Garden Pest Control Methods to Prevent Common Invaders, Leaf Curl on Apple Trees Is a Sign of DiseaseHere Are the Causes, How to Spot 6 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy, 13 Common Garden Pests and Diseases You Should Target ASAP, How to Get Rid of Cucumber Beetles on Your Plants. The root system is small and has dead areas, as well as galls in some cases. Prune during dry weather to minimize the spread of the disease. Gabriel Connor Salter is a freelance writer and editor who has had over 280 articles published by various organizations.   With their bright red berries and glossy green leaves, holly bushes (Ilex spp.) However, their immature forms, called crawlers, are susceptible. Cut unwanted limbs off at the branch union. Use Diazinon or Orthene when the mines are first noticed. Then abundant bright red berries growing on bare stems add plenty of color throughout the winter until the following spring when the green leaves start to grow back. Size: 20 to 30 ft. (3 9 m) tall and up to 15 ft. (4.5 m) wide. Overall, hollies are very hardy plants that will live a long time to brighten your garden. Descriptions and pictures of holly plants will help you decide on the best type of holly for an evergreen landscape. After approximately a month, the nymphs become winged adults, which also feed upon turfgrass sap. Holly bush leaves: Dark green obovate-shaped leaves with toothed margins measuring 2 to 3 (5 7.5 cm) long. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Tea scale (Fiorinia theae) is another very common armored scale pest of hollies. Horticultural oil sprays kill by suffocation and can provide excellent control of all scales. American and English holly bushes are the most likely victims. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Damage: When this tree disease hits, leaves are covered with a thin layer or irregular patches of a powdery, grayish-white material. Another holly bush plant disease is Botryosphaeria canker, also called bot canker, which can occur on all types of holly. Why Are the Leaves Turning Brown on Holly Bushes? The plants flowers can help identify female holly plants apart from male flowers. Multiple infections, branch dieback, and disfigurement of tree crowns render trees unsightly and some are apparently killed by the disease. In fact, most problems that do occur are usually associated with other factors, such as environmental conditions. It is not safe to eat the red berries from a holly shrub or tree. He has also worked as a seasonal employee for the landscaping companies Fisk Lawnscapes and Davey Tree Expert Company and as a Remodeling Assistant for the home renovation company Improvement Pros, LLC. Holly bush leaves: Inkberry holly bush leaves are 1.5 (3.8 cm) long, ovate to elliptic shape, with a dark green glossy shine. Control: Naturally occurring predators of mites include various predatory mites, ladybird beetles, and other insects. Japanese hollies (I. crenata) are very intolerant of poorly drained soils and are especially prone to root rot. Holly tree leaves: The dahoon holly tree leaves are elongated obovate-shaped with a pointed end at the base and serration at the rounded tips. The most common holly species are the American holly ( Ilex opaca) and the English holly ( Ilex aquifolium ). Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJanet McLeod Scott, Former Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJames H. Blake, EdD, Extension Associate/Adjunct Professor, Dept. These wounds can be caused by insects, irregular pruning, or damage that occurs naturally. Repeat this application after 10 days to better control the crawlers, adults, and eggs by smothering them. Size: 20 to 30 ft. (6 10 m) tall and up to 15 ft. (15 m) wide. The longstalk holly bush is a broadleaved evergreen plant with glossy green smooth leaves without any serration or spines on the edges. The holly is identifiable by its yellowish-white fragrant spring flower clusters. On poorly drained soils or sites prone to flood, plant holly on raised beds. Fungicides containing mefenoxam can be applied in the home landscape but will not cure an infected plant. Remove the infected plant. A holly tree that is iron deficient will develop a condition known as chlorosis. Holly berries usually stay on the evergreen bushes throughout the winter. The Eagleston holly has a pyramidal crown with evergreen foliage that looks attractive all year long. Improving air circulation and keeping debris picked up is good for prevention in both cases. Looking at holly tree or holly bush leaves is one of the best ways to identify individual Ilex species. Control: In late summer or early fall, when damage occurs, apply an insecticidal spray to control the adult feeding. Conferences. The leaves may become distorted. Often, the root system will continue to disintegrate until the plant dies. Chinese holly cultivar Burford and Yaupon holly cultivar Nana are tolerant to root-knot, stunt, and ring nematodes. Get to work diagnosing tree diseases with our pictorial summary of 10 common tree diseases. The presence of many punctures can result in deformed leaves. Damage: Tips of infected branches may hang down. Spine spot occurs when the leaves of the holy perforate. For heavier infestations, spray with a 2% horticultural oil in the early spring to kill adults. The size of a canker can range from a small lesion on a branch to a massive dead area on the plant's trunk. (Image credit: Tom Meaker/Alamy Stock Photo) Canker is a fungal disease that causes areas of bark to crumble and die back. Young leaves formed during cool, damp weather are damaged easily if exposed to hot, dry, windy weather. Canker. Sky Pencil holly (Ilex crenata Sky Pencil). Drench = Add to water and pour around base of plant. Greedy scale (Hemiberlesia rapax) is an armored scale that has been reported on East Palatka holly. Prune the tree to encourage better air circulation and mulch well to prevent the fungi from splashing up from the ground. Crawlers can be controlled with Orthene, Diazinon, or malathion. She uses her accounting degree and financial savvy to help readers understand real estate markets and mortgage options. Hollies are classed as dioecious plants, meaning that male and female flowers grow on different plants. Size: 4 to 10 ft. (1.2 3 m) tall and 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) wide. Prevention & Treatment: The fungus has the ability to persist in the soil for many years, even in the absence of susceptible plants. It is vital to clean your tools between cuts to keep from spreading the disease. The oakleaf holly is a small tree with glossy green leaves that look like spiky oak tree leaves. Control: With a light infestation, homeowners can handpick and destroy infested leaves. They live in organic matter in the soil or on roots and other parts of living plants. Holly tree berries: Oak leaf holly tree berries are various shades of orange or red. Spine spot appears to be similar to purple blotch except that the leaves turn gray with a purple ring. A symptom of a fungal or bacterial condition or infection by several insects, gall is an odd and sometimes unsightly growth that can be found on a tree. Canker is a tree disease characterized by a localized dead area on a trunk or branch. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Cankers are also a fungal infection, affecting the stems of the leaves. Tar spot is a fungal disease caused by Phacidium curtisii. The leaves may become distorted. The holly, its bright-red berries a favorite symbol of winter, is one of the most popular landscape trees. Individual species of hollies have distinctive glossy leaves with wavy margins and jaggy spines, small blunt points, or smooth edges. Holly plants can be evergreen or deciduous. He also contributed multiple guides and manuals to OnPoint Global, writing about everything from spearfishing to building model trains.  These turn reddish-brown and finally black by fall. Size: 20 ft. (6 m) tall and 14 ft. (4.2 m) wide. Plants may appear water-stressed, and there may be a yellowing of foliage followed by leaf drop. Holly tree leaves: Oak leaf holly tree leaves are 3.5 (9 cm) long and are leathery, green ovate leaves with spiny margins. Carolina holly is one of the deciduous species of holly. They may also eat large holes in flower petals. Holly tree leaves: Yaupon holly tree leaves are rounded and small, only measuring 1 (2.5 cm) long and 0.5 (1.2 cm) wide. Japanese hollies, particularly Helleri, are not very tolerant to low soil moisture, particularly for the first several years after planting. The holly, its bright-red berries a favorite symbol of winter, is one of the most popular landscape trees. Once infected the hollies cannot be saved, so prevention is the top defense against this disease. Plant decline is often the only symptom, followed by gradual stunting, chlorosis, and leaf drop. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Using change detection technology, foresters can understand when woods are stressed. For more information, contact the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center. During humid weather, you can even see pinkish-orange fungal spores in these spots. Identifying and Treating Harmful Dogwood Diseases, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Prevention & Treatment: Hollies grown under stress are much more sensitive to root rot disease than are well-maintained, vigorous plants. Do not use those with blackened roots. This publication, the eighth in the Key Plant, Key Pests series, helps identify the most common pests found on holly ( Ilex sp.). This holly type only has male species, so it doesn't have berries like other hollies. Dip your cutting tools in a 10 percent bleach solution. Check for mites by looking at the undersurface of leaves in early spring or by shaking a branch over white paper. Fungicides, Insecticides & Miticides to Control Diseases & Pests of Hollies. At first, the bark will start to appear reddish-brown. Think before you treat. Mulberry Trees: White, Red, Black - With Flowers and Leaves (Pictures), Types of Palm Trees in Florida (With Pictures and Names) - Identification Guide, Small Ornamental Trees For Flower Beds (Pictures) - Identification Guide, Tree Fertilizers: When and How (Including The Best Tree Fertilizers), Holly Trees and Bushes: Types, Leaves, Flower, Berries (Pictures) Identification Guide, Juniper Trees and Shrubs Identification Guide, Magnolia Trees and Shrubs Identification, Spruce Trees and Shrubs Identification Guide. In anticipation of adult spittlebug damage the next year, another means of control is to use a soil-applied insecticide in the spring as new growth appears on the shrubs. Remove infected leaves, but do not compost them. Damage: Leaves are chewed, and branches or entire plants may be defoliated. 4. The adult is about a -inch long and brown with two orangish-red stripes on the wings. 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Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Fungicides cannot control this fungus. With severe infestations, webs may cover both leaf surfaces and branch tips. Holly bush leaves: Longstalk holly leaves have smooth margins, a glossy green shine, and measure 1 to 3 (2.5 7.5 cm) long. American Holly. Infected leaves may turn yellow or red and drop. Japanese hollies ( I. crenata) are very intolerant of poorly drained soils and are especially prone to root rot. Scale: Many scale species are pests of holly, especially Chinese holly cultivars (I. cornuta). Rake up fallen leaves under the holly periodically and keep the area free of debris. You may freely link This leaf scorching is caused by the presence of water or ice on the leaves at the time the sun is shining brightly. Bag or burn the leaves to prevent the spread of disease. Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. Choose plants that are well-suited to your site. Remove diseased branches and limbs, pruning at least 12 inches into non-infected wood. cornuta, zones 7-9), American (I. An oil spray should be applied before new growth begins to kill both over-wintering adults and eggs. Diseased stems and branches become swollen and enlarged, and an excessive number of shoots will sprout vertically from the infected areas. Key Pests: Holly. There are no chemicals to treat nematodes effectively. Size: 15 to 20 ft. (4.5 6 m) tall and up to 15 ft. (4.5 m) wide. Pesticides are updated annually. Cankers are caused by everything from mechanical damage inflicted by a lawn mower to environmental stress such as frost cracks and sunscald, to types of fungi and bacteria. Most parasitic nematodes feed by a stylet, sucking juices from plant cells. Tar Spot Tar spot is a fungal infection that appears on the holly tree. He has worked as a handyman for various individuals since 2013, with a focus on lawn care and home renovation.  The identifying features of the sky pencil holly are its narrow growth, small leaves, and showy black fruit. Justin Stewart is a contributing writer to DoItYourself.com. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Promptly dispose of prunings. Some species may be found on the branches as well. Root rots, however, are lethal and can live in the ground for many years even without a holly tree present. Mary Keim / Flickr / CC By 2.0. Control: Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) between late May and mid-June to kill young worms. This publication provides information and general management recommendations for Florida wax scale, tea scale, Cylindrocladium leaf spot, dieback, . They also accidentally bore holes into plastic gasoline containers, hoses, and tanks. Holly Diseases Articles Holly Diseases Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Holly diseases. Larvae pupate in the bags. View our Privacy Policy here. When tar spots are noticed, those leaves should be removed immediately to prevent its spread to other leaves on the holly. Also, species of female holly trees are identifiable by the berries they produce because male hollies dont grow berries. Dwarf holly shrubs are ideal plants for compact gardens, evergreen hedgerows, or growing in containers. In years of heavy rainfall, berries, as well as leaves, are spotted. In South Carolina, the native holly leafminer (Phytomyza ilicicola) is the most common. With all pesticides, read and follow all label instructions and precautions. The leaves of the holly appear yellow or pale green with deep green veins. Crawler activity often coincides with the flush of new plant growth in the spring. See Table 1 for examples of products containing these active ingredients. Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) has a spread of 8 to 12 feet, and is able to reach heights of 40 feet tall, although it is more often seen at heights between 20 and 30 feet tall.The dark evergreen leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and smooth, supple, and shiny, with a few serrations near the tip. Holly shrubs also make ideal security hedges due to their sharp, spiked leaves and dense foliage. Size: 3 to 15 ft. (1 4.5 m) tall and 3 to 12 ft. (1 3.6 m) wide. We welcome your comments and Caution: Pollinating insects, such as honey bees and bumblebees, can be adversely affected by the use of pesticides. Holly tree leaves: Glossy green oval leaves that are 1 (2.5 cm) long. The Clemson Cooperative Extension notes that hollies succumb to fungal root rots when planted on poorly draining soil or when overly mulched. If your holly has extensive damage, dry periods will cause it to decline and die. Each larva constructs a bag that covers its entire body. Yellow spots appear on the leaves of American and English hollies in May. Both of these evergreen holly trees are famous for their shiny, jagged leaves and winter red berries. The American holly ( Ilex opaca) is commonly used as a substitute for the English holly in Christmas dcor, in areas where the latter doesn't grow as well. This is a tree bark disease that affects hardwood fruit trees, particularly plum and apple trees. Common Diseases of Holly and Their Control 3 above the soil level, not below. In the autumn, a flat black, cushion-shaped fungal structure forms beneath the leaf surface. Do not apply horticultural oil sprays when the temperature is above 90 F or to drought-stressed plants. Branches and eventually the entire plant dies. Browse 401 holly disease stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The identifying feature of the yaupon holly is its small, rounded leaves that dont have an apex. Blossoms and leaves of some twigs suddenly wilt and turn brown or black. It gets into the tree via wounds that allow the fungus to enter. Holly Insects & Diseases - TreeHelp Holly leaf miner larvae mines out the leaf middle leaving yellow or brown trails. Follow the product label for rate and application directions. Grow the oak leaf holly plant as foundation plantings, an evergreen border, or privacy hedge. The fungus Thielaviopsis basicola causes black root rot. Practice cultural techniques to prevent or reduce the incidence of plant diseases, including pre-plant soil improvement, proper plant spacing, crop rotation, applying mulch, applying lime and fertilizer based on soil test results, and avoiding overhead irrigation and frequent watering of established plants. The winterberry holly is a large deciduous shrub with dark green, tooth-edged leaves, greenish-white flowers, and showy, bright red berries. These products contain imidacloprid, which will move up and throughout the shrub and protect the holly from most insect damage for a year. Small, yellow spots form on leaves and turn reddish brown with a small, yellow halo later in the summer. Leaves on 3/4 of the tree are brown, but some at the back and lower part of the tree are still green. The dense, evergreen foliage makes this holly plant ideal for a hedge, windbreak, or screen. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria) and American holly (I. opaca) are moderately resistant, while Japanese hollies (I. crenata) are very susceptible to black root rot. Holly dieback due to Phytophthora root rot in a root cell. Last updates were done on 3/21 by Joey Williamson. All Rights Reserved. Holly bush berries: An abundance of red berries grow on pendulous stems. There is only one generation per year. Sphaeropsis knot of holly often begins in lower If this document didnt answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. Brown, 1- to 3-inch-long "bags" hang from the branches. More water, more fertilizer, and more mulch can all lead to disease and pest problems. While it rarely kills plants, rust fungus makes leaves unsightly and weakens the plant by interfering with photosynthesis, the process a plant uses to make food. Tiny, black fungal fruiting structures pepper the spot surface as a result of attack by a secondary fungus. Cercospora blight or leafspot is a fungus that causes circular gray or brown spots with dark margins on holly leaves. Characterized by odd-looking clusters of intense growth, shoots infected with witches' broom grow out of lateral buds on branches in a pattern that can resemble a broom. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer in spring and early summer. This fungus can kill a holly. Control: 12 inches beyond any discoloration and destroy them. Blue holly is a large shrub or small tree with glossy green, pointed leaves with spines on the margins and shiny crimson red berries. Damage: Signs of leaf rust tree disease include leaves that are discolored or mottled yellow to brown and powdery fungal clusters on the leaves. home improvement and repair website. In late fall, tiny black dots are scattered over the white patches like pepper grains. Nellie Stevens holly (Ilex Nellie Stevens). Most diseases of holly can be attributed to fungus. To avoid introducing these pathogens, purchase hollies with healthy roots and good foliage color. When overhead irrigation is the most desirable way to water, irrigate in the morning so there is ample drying time before nightfall. Prevention & Treatment: Presently, there are no effective chemicals registered for the control of nematodes in existing landscape plants. An additive to balance the pH level of the trees soil will correct this condition and stop the spread of chlorosis. Several dwarf inkberry holly bush cultivars include Strongbox, Compacta, Shamrock, and Gem Box., Size: 5 to 8 ft. (1.5 2.4 m) tall and wide. However, it is very important to always read and follow the label directions on each product. Scales of various types may infest holly. The fungus Thielaviopsis basicola causes black root rot. Prune your holly to improve air circulation. How to Care for a Silver Variegated English Holly, Instructions for Planting & Caring for a Holly Bush, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Holly Diseases & Insect Pests. Like any other tree root disease, rots are unnoticed as they happen under the soil surface. Sort by: Most popular. Remove and destroy (do not compost) all heavily spotted or fallen leaves. Holly trees can grow between 30 and 80 ft. (10 24 m) tall. Hedgehog Holly Tree got its name because of the green, spiky leaves with yellow-white tips. Removing affected leaves will eliminate the spread of this disease. Being able to identify the types of disease that may cause the tree to become damaged or suffer a premature death will help a holly tree owner apply a fix that will save the tree and prolong its life. Nematodes: Root-knot (Meloidogyne), ring (Criconemoides), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus), sting (Belonolaimus), and spiral (Helicotylenchus) nematodes are seldom seen due to their microscopic size. They occur in the spring during periods when the weather is cool and moist. Using sucking mouthparts, they feed on the undersides of leaves, where their fine webbing is often seen. A fungus called milky spore controls grubs but may take a few years to build up an effective concentration. Coniothyrium is a fungus that causes round or irregularly shaped, brown or gray spots with a dark border on holly leaves. As with all pesticides, read and follow all label instructions and precautions. Holly tree leaves: Chinese holly tree leaves are dark green, shiny leaves in a rectangular shape with two or more spines.