Even very good care cannot always prevent fungal spores from spreading on the thuja and sometimes causing considerable damage to the tree of life. However, a healthy tree usually copes well with an infestation. But there are also fungal diseases that cause the entire hedge to die off.

Areas affected by fungi should be removed as soon as possible

Thuja fungal diseases

Four types of fungus attack the thuja:

  • Pestalotiopsis funerea
  • Didymascella thujina
  • Kabatina thujae
  • Armillaria mellea (Hallimash infection)

dieback

The shoot dieback is triggered by Pestalotiopsis funerea. Symptoms of an infestation are the brown discoloration of the tip, which slowly spreads to the whole shoot. Later, black spots form, the shoot dries up and dies.

Needle and dandruff tan

Didymascella thujina and Kabatina thujae cause the needles and scales to brown, with Kabatina thujae primarily affecting young leaves and tips. Initially, the symptoms of the infestation are small spots on needles and scales. They spread further and lead to the death of the entire shoot.

Thuja Dying

Armillaria mellea is responsible for the dreaded death of Thuja. This fungus is characterized by a white mesh found between the bark and the wood. The thuja dies very quickly after an infestation and can no longer be saved.

What to do if the thuja is infested with fungus?

In the case of a slight fungal infestation that is recognized in good time, it helps to generously cut off the affected shoots and dispose of them in the household waste.

If the tree of life hedge suffers from Armillaria mellea, you can try to fight the fungus with a fungicide. This is administered according to the instructions on the packaging. However, control is only successful if the fungal infestation is recognized in the early stages.

Prevention of fungal attack on the thuja hedge

Fungal spores like to spread on the tree of life, especially when it is damp. Therefore, water in the morning if possible so that the thuja can dry off during the day. Avoid wetting the leaves and stem.

To improve air circulation in the hedge, carefully thin out the trees from time to time. Cut out dry and transverse branches.

tips

Thuja cuttings infested with fungi should never be composted. They are disposed of with household waste or - if possible - immediately burned in the garden.

Category:

Trees