serviceberry fungus? - Ask Extension
I noticed weird growth on many serviceberries on some shrubs. Do you know what this is? Is it a fungus or disease? Is it common?
Knowledgebase
serviceberry fungus? #880416
Asked August 06, 2024, 2:32 PM EDT
I noticed weird growth on many serviceberries on some shrubs. Do you know what this is? Is it a fungus or disease? Is it common?
Josephine County Oregon
Expert Response
The rust on the serviceberry is fairly common in our area. It is a fungi called Gymnosporangium libocedri. What makes it unusual is that the fungus reproduces using two hosts. In our area the rust likely originated with a cedar tree.
The rust is essentially an aesthetic problem, and in wet years will be worse. You can remove the affected foliage and/or apply chemical treatments for this season. The rust will not winter-over, though with the alternate host tree nearby, you may find it is infected most years.
Oregon State University Extension has several publications that deal with rust on serviceberry.
This is an overview of information about your tree: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/sites/default/files/ww_serviceberry.pdf
Here's an OSU Gardening Tips article about rust: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/watch-out-rust-can-jump-incense-cedars-fruit-trees
This page from the PNW Plant Disease Handbook lists chemical controls. Only one is for homeowners, indicated by the H in a box. Follow label instructions. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/serviceberry-amelanchier-spp-rust
The rust is essentially an aesthetic problem, and in wet years will be worse. You can remove the affected foliage and/or apply chemical treatments for this season. The rust will not winter-over, though with the alternate host tree nearby, you may find it is infected most years.
Oregon State University Extension has several publications that deal with rust on serviceberry.
This is an overview of information about your tree: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/sites/default/files/ww_serviceberry.pdf
Here's an OSU Gardening Tips article about rust: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/watch-out-rust-can-jump-incense-cedars-fruit-trees
This page from the PNW Plant Disease Handbook lists chemical controls. Only one is for homeowners, indicated by the H in a box. Follow label instructions. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/serviceberry-amelanchier-spp-rust