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Partial leaf wilt on 20-year old Red tipped Photinia #752036

Asked May 25, 2021, 12:27 PM EDT

All the leaves on two branches of a 20-year old Red tipped Photinia are wilted. The rest of the bush looks fine, as do the other red tipped photinia bushes in the hedge.  There is no leaf-spotting or curling on the wilted branches or elsewhere.

Sacramento County California

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Cheryl.  Unfortunately, the photo is taken too far away to see the leaves clearly.  I suspect that your plant may have a fungal disease called fire blight, but no reliable diagnosis could be obtained without a laboratory examination.  I suggest you contact the OSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic to do this.  Here is their webpage:  https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic

I hope they can help.  Good luck!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 25, 2021, 12:35 PM EDT
Thanks for your response.  Here's a closer photo.  Ivy has grown around the bottom of the bush, so I'm thinking it could be "Phytophthora Fungal Disease"?  I'm planning to cut back the ivy tomorrow.  
On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 9:35 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2021, 9:00 PM EDT

Phytopthora is not a known pathogen to photinia.  Here are those pathogens that afflict this species: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=photinia

Removing the ivy cannot hurt the plant, but I still suggest you contact the OSU Plant Diagnostic Lab for assistance.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 25, 2021, 9:05 PM EDT

Perhaps your own county Extension Service can provide local assistance:  https://ucanr.edu/sites/UCCE_Sacramento/

Good luck!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 25, 2021, 9:13 PM EDT

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