Expert: Jim Hyland - 11/6/2009

Question
I have plated 3 Willow trees 2 of them are doing great the third has black spots.What can I use to treat my Willow spots on it.

Please help

Answer
It sounds like leaf spots but this late in the year I would do nothing except rake the leaves when they fall and destroy them by burying or burning. This will cut down the amount of spores that can infect the tree next spring. They really do not cause much health problem for the tree. If you want to treat the spots you will need to wait until next sprain as the leaves bud out. Then next spring spray the new foliage with a fungicide for leaf spots.

Spraying three times at two-week intervals with a copper fungicide (Hi-Yield Copper Fungicide, Ferti-lome Black Spot %26 Powdery Mildew Control) or mancozeb (Bonide Mancozeb Flowable, Southern Ag Dithane M-45, or Dragon Mancozeb Disease Control) starting when the leaves begin to unfurl in spring will provide control. Spray until all the leaves have fully expanded usually about three applications will work. Read and follow all directions on the label.