I know it is late summer, but I want everyone to think back to earlier this year. I hope this helps me explain what is going on now in our landscape right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about March, it is still cool, but temperatures are beginning to warm up. You spend some time outside but at the end of the day not much outdoor work gets done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then we get into April. Temperatures are nice and consistent, so you decide to go out and do some work. You work all day and decide it is so nice you just stay out all night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You continue to do this same thing day in and day out the entire summer. It doesn\u2019t matter if it rains, or hails, or if it is 100 \u2070F, you continue working all summer long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, don\u2019t you think that after all this time you might look a little rundown, maybe bruised or scratched up. You might even be missing a finger or two from a stray dog. Well now you know what it feels like to be a leaf on a tree or shrub in the landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I get several calls this time of year asking about leaf spots, yellow leaves or leaf drop. 9.5 times out of 10 it goes back to the fact that the leaves have done their job and now they are done. Leaves emerge with the sole function of taking light energy and converting it to energy for the plant, supporting flowering and fruit\/seed production, and producing buds for the following year. They do this all-summer while being battered by heat, rain, insects, fungi, and bacteria. As we get later in the year and the leaves begin to senesce, they lose much of their natural defenses and cellular structure which makes them susceptible to bacteria and fungi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of the organisms you find on leaves later in the year are secondary organisms or opportunistic pathogens. This means that they only infect plants that are weak or damaged. There are some situations that would trigger a pest management response, but this is usually only in fruit and nut crops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the plants in the landscape or environment are starting to put their remaining energy into the buds, bark and roots. Their leaves will begin to turn, look worn out and even drop. So, if you see things growing or developing on these leaves don\u2019t panic. If you are concerned about something you see, you can call me or your County Agent to make sure it is nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n