With their expansive crowns, weeping willows not only offer an excellent habitat for birds and insects. Fungi also like to nest in the deciduous tree, sometimes causing major damage. In the event of an acute fungal infestation, it is important to act quickly. That is why you will find useful information on this page to recognize symptoms of various parasites in good time and to take targeted action against the respective fungus.
The Melampsora silicicola can be recognized by rust spots on the leaves
The most common fungi on the weeping willow
- Marssonina salicicola
- Melampsora salicina
Marssonina salicicola
This fungus causes the well-known Marssonina disease on the weeping willow. It is one of the most frequently observed diseases of the deciduous tree. The following symptoms indicate an infestation:
- Flowers, leaves, twigs and shoots are affected.
- Necrosis 3 mm in size forms on the leaves.
- Crippled leaves
- Premature shedding of leaves
- Bursting, scab-like necrosis on young, green shoots
- Causes top drought (shoot tip death)
- Bush encroachment on the pasture
Marssonina salicicola occurs mainly in spring. Its dark fruiting bodies overwinter on the leaves or in fallen leaves on the ground. Humid, warm climate promotes its formation.
The best way to prevent an infestation is to ensure good air circulation by constantly thinning out the crown. You should always remove fallen leaves because, as mentioned, they represent a nesting place for the larvae. If the weeping willow is already infested, you must remove all diseased parts of the tree.
Melampsora silicicola
The rust infestation caused by this fungus can be clearly recognized by the following symptoms:
- Light yellow spores on the undersides of the leaves
- Yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves
Severe infestations result in yellowing of leaves and premature dropping of leaves. Melapsora salicicola does not only occur on the weeping willow. The fungus usually looks for an intermediate host, with numerous tree species coming into question. In order to avoid an infestation, you should therefore stretch the distance between weeping willow and endangered trees as far as possible.