The uncomplicated cultivation of a corkscrew willow has an Achilles' heel. While the ornamental shrub is uncomplicated in terms of care and propagation, it quickly succumbs to fungal infections. Read here which diseases a Salix matsudana is susceptible to and how to combat them.

If the corkscrew willow loses its leaves for no apparent reason, there is probably a disease or a pest behind it

Willow scab causes shoots and foliage to wither

The symptoms are obvious and have fatal consequences. In damp weather, the fungal pathogen Pollaccia saliciperda strikes. The foliage withers and dies. The fungus migrates from the leaves into the shoots, whereupon these turn black and die off as well. How to fight the disease:

  • Collect the infested leaves and dispose of them in the household waste
  • Prune diseased shoots back into healthy wood

If the infestation pressure is high, you can treat the affected corkscrew willow with a special scab fungicide. On less heavily infected shrubs, discontinue the application of nitrogen in favor of fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium. As a precaution, choose a sunny, well-aired location so that the leaves dry more quickly in damp weather.

Recognizing and fighting Marssonina disease - Here's how

The causative agents of the fungal infection (Marssonina salicicola) target the 1- and 2-year-old shoots and the leaves. The infestation can be recognized by the withered shoot and leaf tips. In the further course, 2-3 cm long, brown-black growths develop. Overall, the entire corkscrew pasture gives the impression that it has dried up. How to proceed correctly:

  • Gather or cut off the diseased leaves from the branches
  • Thin out diseased branches or shorten into healthy wood

If the disease has already spread extensively to the corkscrew pasture, various fungicides are available commercially to combat it. Special mushroom-free from Bayer Garten, Atempo mushroom-free, Compo mushroom-free Polyram and Ortiva mushroom-free have proven themselves well. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety operates a freely accessible database that lists all the agents approved for private gardens.

tips

The regular and vigorous pruning measures on a corkscrew willow always harbor the risk of a fungal infection. Before you cut the branches into shape or clear out dead wood, a meticulous disinfection of the pruning shears is the top gardener's duty. Furthermore, the tool should be freshly sharpened so that the cuts do not fray.

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Trees