Fungus on the rise in dogwood, redbud and maple trees in Virginia

Nurseries in Virginia and surrounding states have observed an uptick in the past two years in wilt and severe dieback on redbud, maple, and dogwood.In some cases, almost 100 percent of the stock was unable to be sold due to the damage.

Vascular streak dieback is a non-curable plant disease caused by a fungus. Early symptoms of the disease include yellowing and discoloration of leaves and stunting and wilting.

Vascular plant diseases, in general, are hard to treat as they attack the water-conducting tissue of the plant.  A tree responds by blocking its vascular system to contain the disease -- cutting off its water supply and leading to wilt and dieback.

To address the spread of the disease, Virginia Cooperative Extension has partnered with Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue a fact sheet that raises awareness of vascular streak dieback, and provides growers a number of tips on how to avoid and manage it.

Unfortunately, there are no current recommended pesticide or cultural treatments for plants already exhibiting symptoms; nurseries, however, are aware of the disease and can recognize the problem. The Virginia Agricultural Council is also funding research into the disease at Virginia Tech.

To view the fact sheet addressing vascular streak dieback, visit https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-483/spes-483.html.