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Purple/Pink fungus on River birch leaes #651112

Asked June 15, 2020, 10:43 AM EDT

Greetings,

This river birch has purple/pink fungus? growing on it. What is this? Should I treat the tree to prevent it?

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Wow- nice photos. This is a cool little insect called a "Velvet mite" (actually it is mite and not an insect). The damage is purely cosmetic and i have attached a colleague's article that will explain further.  We are getting quite a few questions on this lately.


Thank you for your question! Rebecca Finneran Michigan State University Extension Senior Horticulture Educator Learn how t be a Smart Gardener here www.migarden.msu.edu Replied June 15, 2020, 3:23 PM EDT

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