Photinia Tree Issues - Ask Extension
I have a 20 yr old Photinia tree that ap[pears to be distressed. It has shown leaf spots in the spring - not now - but has progressively produced few...
Knowledgebase
Photinia Tree Issues #868448
Asked May 14, 2024, 5:36 PM EDT
I have a 20 yr old Photinia tree that ap[pears to be distressed. It has shown leaf spots in the spring - not now - but has progressively produced fewer leaves the past several years. I know that leaf spot treatment may help in the spring wet season buit I am concerned that the tree is dying and may need to be removed. I have attached photos - one of while shows some small mushrooms that have appeared near the roots of the tree the past few years - not sure if they are related to this tree's failure.
Please advise your recommendations.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Peter and thanks for your question and great pictures of your Photinia. I have a 40 year old tree in my yard, so I know it is not old age problems. The closest I can guess right now is Fire Blight. I'll attach an article describing the symptoms and you can see if it fits.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/photinia-fire-blight
I had Fire Blight on a pear tree two years ago and pruned out the dead branches. The next year it did fine and this year it looks good too, so it's not a death sentence.
Your tree looks pretty big to spray, but there is a chemical you could use if you want to try: Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide at 0.5 to 2 fl oz/gal. You would spray in the dormant season, winter, and just before bloom in the spring. If you decide to use this, pay close attention to the directions as it is a legal contract and very important to follow exactly.
If you don't think the description matches your tree, let's wait a month and see what happens. You can send some pictures of the base of the tree and some close ups of the leaves and we'll see if something else is going on.
Hope this helps,
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/photinia-fire-blight
I had Fire Blight on a pear tree two years ago and pruned out the dead branches. The next year it did fine and this year it looks good too, so it's not a death sentence.
Your tree looks pretty big to spray, but there is a chemical you could use if you want to try: Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide at 0.5 to 2 fl oz/gal. You would spray in the dormant season, winter, and just before bloom in the spring. If you decide to use this, pay close attention to the directions as it is a legal contract and very important to follow exactly.
If you don't think the description matches your tree, let's wait a month and see what happens. You can send some pictures of the base of the tree and some close ups of the leaves and we'll see if something else is going on.
Hope this helps,
