Knowledgebase

Is this Verticillium Wilt on my redbud? #869557

Asked May 22, 2024, 12:28 AM EDT

This Eastern Redbud was planted on April 4th 2024 and it was doing well until approximately 2 weeks ago or at least I thought I was doing well. I noticed yellowing leaves and some rust colored spots. I thought it needed water but since being put on regular watering schedules 3 times a week skipping days when it rains. The tree continues to have more brown discoloration and now new leaves look like it’s pale yellow. Is this verticillium wilt or a different fungal disease. It is planted north facing but gets lots of midday and afternoon sun. Thank you.

Oklahoma County Oklahoma

Expert Response

This does not look like the symptoms of verticillium wilt. But, one way to check for the potential of it being present is to cut into a stem and look for vascular streaking. If vascular streaking is present I suggest taking several twigs 6-10 inches long showing symtpoms into the Oklahoma County Extension Center to be sent to the OSU disease lab for diagnostics.

With that said, and knowing it was recently planted, I believe it is more of an establishment issue than a disease. How was the tree planted? How much water and method of watering is being applied/used?

When planting, the hole should be 2-3 times wider than the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball. Planting too deep can lead to problems. We do not recommend using amendments in the hole when planting; depending on the amendment and how much is used, that can cause more problems than it does good. The root ball should be kept moist, but not wet. Digging down about 6-10 inches next to the root ball occasionally to check soil moisture to determe if it really needs more water is better than a set schedule. A regular watering schedule may not be efficient or could lead to overwatering, depending on the method. Checking the soil several inches deep near the root ball occasionally is a better method. If roots are brown and slimy you may have root rot occuring.

I also noticed the bamboo pole used for training and protection during shipping is still attached. I recommend removing that immediately as it does not really serve a purpose anymore.

For additional assistance please feel free to contact the Oklahoma County OSU Extension Center - https://extension.okstate.edu/county/oklahoma/.

David Hillock Replied May 22, 2024, 10:15 AM EDT
Hello! 

Thank you so much for your very quick response. I started to do what you said about checking the soil and I realized that my plant wasn’t getting enough water. I watered my plant for two minutes  and checked the soil. I used a long screw driver approximately 10inches and the soil was dry. 
I will do this method moving forward. 

Thank you so much again. 

Respectfully, 
April Pisano 

On Wed, May 22, 2024 at 9:15 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2024, 4:22 PM EDT
Hello! 

It’s been almost 2 months since my question and I truly appreciate your advice. I have been watering the redbud checking the soil a good 6inches before watering. During the days when we had over 100 temps I have been watering daily. I wanted to find out if the plant is improving. I think it is but I was hoping if I can get your opinion. My other question is that why does the small baby leaves that started to grow still has the rust color discoloration despite my deep watering efforts? Do I need to add fertilizer this time?  
Here is a before and after pics. The pictures in the top are the before and the pics at the bottom are taken today. And I also attached 2 more pics of the plant taken today. Thank you so much. 

Sincerely, 
April Pisano 
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On Wed, May 22, 2024 at 9:15 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 22, 2024, 8:42 PM EDT

This looks like it could be a foliar disease. I suggest taking some samples into the extension office, they can send them in for diagnosis to determine which disease it might be so we can provide an accurate treatment recommendation. However, this late in the season it is not worth spraying anything to control it since it is not affecting the overall health of the tree and they will be falling off soon anyway. The best thing to do at this point is to collect and destroy falling leaves, especially this autumn, then be prepared to treat next spring.

David Hillock Replied July 30, 2024, 5:01 PM EDT

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