Knowledgebase

Basswood Leaf Issue #876200

Asked July 07, 2024, 2:44 PM EDT

As soon as our basswood trees grow leaves, we get this milky white substance on the back that causes spotting and wilting as shown in the photos. The leaves are able to recover from the damage, but remain spotted all year. I've noticed other basswood trees in Bemidji with the same issue. Do you know what is causing this and how to mitigate? Thank you.

Beltrami County Minnesota

Expert Response

A sticky residue on the underside of leaves is usually a sign of mites or scale and leaf miner. The damage looks most like leaf miner. The resolution of the photo isn’t great enough to see a mite or scale but it is something you could do with a magnifying glass to rule out mites or scale.
Please see the link for a list of pests of basswood and treatment.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/795

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/linden/leavesspots.html

 https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/treepestguide/basswood.html


Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer Replied July 07, 2024, 4:09 PM EDT

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