Silver leaf
Leaves take on a silvery, leaden sheen, first on one branch and later on the whole tree; branches die back and purplish crusts appear on dead wood. In a sawn-through branch the wood is stained brown; mainly on plum, cherry, apricot and peach.
The fungus Chondrostereum purpureum enters through pruning cuts and broken branches, especially in autumn and winter.
What can you do?
- Saw through an affected branch: if the wood is stained brown, it is true silver leaf; without staining it is usually false silver leaf caused by drought or nutrient shortage.
- In summer, in dry weather, saw off affected branches 15 cm into healthy, unstained wood.
- Remove dead branches and dead trees completely, stump included, and don’t leave the wood in the garden: the crusts release spores.
- For a large or badly affected tree, it is best to have a tree surgeon look at it.
Prevention
Prune stone fruit such as plums and cherries only in summer in dry weather, when wounds heal quickly, and avoid large cuts and tearing branches.
When to watch out: June–August