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Hawthorn blight- newly purchased tree

Kat30Kat30 Posts: 2
in Problem solving

Hi, I'm looking for advice. In late April, I purchased and planted an established double crimson flowering hawthorn. It's around 3 metres tall. It produced one flower in May shortly after planting and seemed to be doing well. The problem now is that the leaves are covered in dark brown spots and are falling rapidly. I assume this is blight. Is it likely the tree tree came already infected (i.e. should I take it up with the company I bought it from?), or has it caught it since? I bought an apple tree at the same time and it seems fine. Also, how do I treat it? Thanks.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I think it's a bit like black spot on roses Kat.
    A lot of rose plants you see have black spots on the leaves - it's caused by the same family of fungus that causes hawthorn blight, and as far as I recall, most hawthorn trees I see on the roadside and in the fields have blight.

    I would think that as you've only had the tree since April, it already had the infection when you bought it.

    There's an article here-
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=745

    Read the last paragraph first though :)


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Kat30Kat30 Posts: 2

    Thanks for your response and info Pete. I've since realised that a young tree, possibly an apple tree, in my neighbour's garden also has leaf spot, although the spots are a different colour. Is there a chance this is the source of my problem? Thanks.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    The fungi spores are everywhere in the air. We're breathing them in all the time.
    They usually get into a plant via any sort of wound or if the plant is weak or unwell.
    I'm afraid it just happens.
    I don't think it'll do your tree any serious harm - most of them seem to have it.
    Just enjoy your tree from a slight distance and you won't notice :)
    They're such lovely trees - pretty leaves (ok not as much so with black spot), masses of spring flowers and fab berries and leaf-colours in the autumn - a haven for insects and birds, and a beautiful sight, from a slight distance ;)


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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