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Lilac leaves brown and curling #878969
Asked July 26, 2024, 8:26 PM EDT
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Picture of our ailing lilac leaves
Dear Julie,
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YOUR QUESTION #0148887:
Lilac leaves brown and curling
Within the last couple weeks the leaves on our lilac bushes are turning brown and curling. The leaves appear mottled brown at the edges and then the leaf curls and turns completely brown, dying.Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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We are getting a lot of lilac questions this summer. Most of them are about brown and dying leaves. I am seeing a lot of this in my own neighborhood, especially on common lilacs.
Many are suffering from lilac blight. There are a couple of diseases that cause this. This will not kill your lilac but it is unisightly.
Clean up is essential. Clean up all fallen leaves and dispose of them in your municipal leaf pick up. Do not compost these at home.
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/lilacbacterialblight.pdf
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/how-recognize-treat-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blight#main-content