What is the cause and cure of large round holes in the leaves of our Paulownia tree also known as Sapphire Dragon tree? |
Paulownia, the Empress Tree, is generally pest free, but sometimes the leaves are damaged by a fungal disease that develops in very rainy seasons. If your tree has developed leaf spots (which often fall out, leaving holes in the leaves), be sure to rake and destroy the leaves at the end of the season. Don't compost them or the fungal spores may reinfect your tree next season. If your tree has been healthy and this is the first time you've observed these symptoms, the growth should be fine next spring. Otherwise, a copper-based fungicide can be used to protect the tree if it's a valuable specimen and has been repeatedly attacked by disease. |