lilac bacterial blight? - Ask Extension
My lilac has dying leaves. They have brown spots and eventually turn brown and die. The stems seem alive. At least they are pliable. The city fore...
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lilac bacterial blight? #880591
Asked August 07, 2024, 4:07 PM EDT
My lilac has dying leaves. They have brown spots and eventually turn brown and die. The stems seem alive. At least they are pliable. The city forester says lilac bacterial blight has been common in our area. Is there a treatment available. The whole tree/bush is infected. See the pictures
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Your city forester is correct. This has been a problem with lilacs for the past two years. It is not fatal. Sanitation is the treatment. Pick up and destroy any leaves as they fall and clean the area completely in the fall. You may want to rejuvenate your lilac by cutting 1/3rd of the oldest, thickest stems to the ground. This encourages new growth. Do this for two more years and your lilac will be like new. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/leaf-spot-diseases-trees-and-shrubs#bacterial-leaf-spots-and-blight-1156513