How To Recognize Hazel Diseases?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Hazel has been cultivated by people since time immemorial, and all this time it is periodically exposed to the invasion of various pests and attacks of harmful ailments. True, various diseases do not affect the beautiful hazel very often, but in any case it does not hurt to know how the manifestations of various ailments look on this wonderful plant

Powdery mildew of leaves

This disease manifests itself on the leaves of hazel in the formation of a whitish powdery or cobweb plaque. After some time, the plaque on the lower sides of the leaf blades gradually disappears.

Colorless unicellular spores of the causative agent of this ill-fated disease are characterized by a clavate shape, and the marsupial stage is represented by almost spherical and slightly flattened perithecia.

Phylostictosis of leaves

The leaves of hazel attacked by this ailment are covered with large yellowish-brownish specks, framed by thin brownish edges and differing in an irregular shape. A little later, the spots begin to dry out and turn into light ocher tones, however, pronounced edges remain. Gradually, the infected tissue on the leaves begins to crack and fall out. By the way, sometimes phyllostictosis is called yellow-brown spot.

White mixed branch rot

The causative agent of this harmful misfortune affects not only hazel twigs - trunks with roots often suffer from its attacks. And sometimes the manifestations of the disease can be found on the valezha or on the stumps. The decay process in the affected areas is incredibly intense, leading to the appearance of mixed rot, characterized by a characteristic white color and provoking easy separation of wood fibers. In addition, on the infected parts of plants, the appearance of accumulations of mycelium, colored in brownish or reddish tones, can be observed. Especially often noticeably weakened trees suffer from mixed white rot. By the way, the causative agent of this scourge is very resistant to low temperatures.

Leaf rust

On the leaves of hazel attacked by this dangerous disease, light brown hemispherical pustules, densely covered with orange ovoid and bristly spores, begin to form (mainly from the lower sides). Rust-diseased leaves must be collected and destroyed without fail.

White peripheral branch rot

This attack quite often affects hazel twigs and shoots, especially if they grow in areas that are too shaded. If the lesions are especially severe, the plants will begin to gradually die off - this irreversible process occurs due to the ringing of rot around the entire circumference of the trunks.

Disease prevention

So that the hazel is struck by various ailments as rarely as possible, in the fall, as soon as the leaf fall ends, the fallen leaves are collected and destroyed, and the soil under the trees is dug up. This measure perfectly helps to eliminate the pathogen of powdery mildew, which often overwinters on fallen leaves of hazel. And fertilizers for bushes are also better to be applied in the fall.

When growing hazel, it is important to remember that on strong and well-groomed bushes, the causative agent of various ailments rarely develops, and many other misfortunes also almost always bypass hazel. Therefore, it is very important for this culture to try to provide proper care. The plots on which it is grown must be reliably protected from the wind, and the groundwater level on them should not be more than one meter. Correct pruning and shaping of the bushes is equally important. At the same time, it is categorically not recommended to shorten one-year shoots.