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Lilac leaves brown and curling #878969

Asked July 26, 2024, 8:26 PM EDT

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.

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

image
Picture of our ailing lilac leaves 

On Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 7:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

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.

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The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2024, 8:54 PM EDT

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

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/bacterial-blight/

Deb Reierson Replied July 28, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT
Thank you for getting back to us!!

On Sun, Jul 28, 2024, 4:00 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 28, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT

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