Does photinia leaf spot fungus affect other plants? - Ask Extension
I just bought a new house with a row of about 15 red tip photinia against the backyard wall (beyond which is a busy street). One or two appear health,...
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Does photinia leaf spot fungus affect other plants? #879319
Asked July 29, 2024, 6:11 PM EDT
I just bought a new house with a row of about 15 red tip photinia against the backyard wall (beyond which is a busy street). One or two appear health, the remainder of them are in various stages of death and dying (no surprise). I intend to replace them with something else.
But at the moment, I have three questions regarding what to do with the corpses:
1. Will the leaf spot fungus colonize other plants?
2. Can I chip/shred the dead ones and use it to mulch other plants without infecting them?, and
3. The stems that are too thick for my little chipper - can I chop them up and use them for kindling in my indoor fireplace without poisoning myself or my dogs?
Thank you,
Laura Hecht
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
The fungus that causes photinia leaf spot will infect a few other plants such as hawthorn, quince and mountain ash but not too much else. It is a major problem on photinia and I think it a good decision to replace. No worries for your other plants or yourself. These are plant diseases and not human diseases. Enjoy the fires this winter.