Elderberry Plant Mystery - Ask Extension
I have a large Elderberry bush that is having some problems. I thought that it might be bugs or fungus of some sort. I took it to a local garden cente...
Knowledgebase
Elderberry Plant Mystery #199597
Asked July 15, 2014, 5:25 PM EDT
I have a large Elderberry bush that is having some problems. I thought that it might be bugs or fungus of some sort. I took it to a local garden center here in Colorado Springs and they were stumped. I have not fertilized or sprayed anything on or around it. The bush is well established. Any ideas of what might be causing this would be very much appreciated.
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
The elderberry has been exposed to a very small amount of airborne 2,4-D herbicide. When sprayed on lawns (to kill dandelions and other weeds) on a hot or windy day, this very commonly used herbicide may become airborne and travel as much as 1/4 mile.
2,4-D herbicide (2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid) mimics some of the plant's own hormones called auxins, resulting in the leaf distortions.
Look for these symptoms - leaf distortion, cupping, strap-like leaves, prominent veins and "cobra-heading" symptoms on the elderberry and other nearby plants in your yard and neighbor's yards. Redbud, hackberry, tomato, grape and catalpa are very sensitive to small amounts of airborne 2,4-D drift. Apparently, so is elderberry.
2,4-D herbicide (2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid) mimics some of the plant's own hormones called auxins, resulting in the leaf distortions.
Look for these symptoms - leaf distortion, cupping, strap-like leaves, prominent veins and "cobra-heading" symptoms on the elderberry and other nearby plants in your yard and neighbor's yards. Redbud, hackberry, tomato, grape and catalpa are very sensitive to small amounts of airborne 2,4-D drift. Apparently, so is elderberry.
