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Spicebush leaves #878525

Asked July 24, 2024, 7:56 AM EDT

One of our spicebushes had leaves that are discolored/wrinkled and some are falling off the plant. Otherwise the plant seems healthy. I'd appreciate any input on whether this needs to be treated.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

These symptoms resemble either herbicide exposure damage or a virus infection; they can be hard to tell apart. If you didn't apply any type of weed killer near the plant since just before the symptoms began (or, if the plant is near a property line, a neighbor didn't either), then it may be viral. There is no treatment or cure for plant virus infections, though not all kill their hosts, and sometimes symptoms cycle through manifesting and disappearing again. (On the whole plant, that is...individual leaves cannot heal from injury, discoloration,  or deformity.) Since there is no remedy to reverse the effects of herbicide exposure either, unfortunately there is nothing you can do at this point, and the plant will either persist with enough healthy growth to survive decently well or it may decline, it's hard to predict. If you are wary of a viral disease being responsible and if the plant begins to decline in vigor and appearance, you could replace the plant. Otherwise, just keep monitoring it for watering needs as our current drought continues.

Miri

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