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Diagnosis of spots on aspen trees #402007

Asked May 23, 2017, 5:14 PM EDT

Hi, we have about 10 aspen young aspen trees that we planted in the past 2 years on our property in downtown Bend, OR. They are beautiful, but this year we are having an outbreak of some sort, that is affecting most the leaves, from the bottom to the uppermost branches. So it seems systemic and is rapidly affecting the grove. I am attaching a couple of photos. The brown spots are enclosed, rather symmetrical, unlike many of the photos I'm seeing online. Please advise and also what product we should use and how to apply it? Thank you so much for this awesome service, gratefully, Maggie Smith

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Thanks for your question about your aspen trees, Maggie.  I'm not sure which pictures you're looking at online, but your trees' leaves appear to be infected with the Marsso nina leaf spot, caused by one of several fungus subspecies.  Fungi are prevalent in cool, wet springs, and manifest themselves once the trees leaf out.  The fungi have over-wintered in fallen leaves which, if not raked, reinfect the trees each year.  Here's a link to an OSU manual page on the fungus.  You will note that, at the end of the article, there are chemical controls available but they are not available to the home gardener (or there would be an H after them).  So, there's nothing you can do this year, except rake the leaves up and burn them at the end of the season.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.   Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2017, 6:05 PM EDT

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