Disease on Aspen tree - Ask Extension
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Disease on Aspen tree #824726
Asked April 07, 2023, 12:01 AM EDT
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Jim,
An actual question did not come through. Only the title. Hopefully this link, provided by Colorado State University, will address the questions and concerns you have regarding your aspen tree.
Please do not hesitate to follow up with any questions you may have.
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/common-insects-diseases-of-aspen/
*After opening the link there are several pictures with descriptions on the left sidebar.
An actual question did not come through. Only the title. Hopefully this link, provided by Colorado State University, will address the questions and concerns you have regarding your aspen tree.
Please do not hesitate to follow up with any questions you may have.
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/common-insects-diseases-of-aspen/
*After opening the link there are several pictures with descriptions on the left sidebar.
What’s on this Aspen tree?
Jim,
Thank you for the picture.
Your distorted and deformed aspen leaves are becoming evident at this time of year, and because they look so odd (possibly even alarming), they cause concern.
The distortion is a gall caused by a tiny mite called an Eriophyid mite.
The good news is that the gall does not affect plant health, and usually the same tree is not hit two years in a row. So, it is just an aesthetic issue. The affected leaves can be cut out if they are really bothersome, but it is not necessary.
The distortion is caused by chemical secretions produced during feeding or egg laying. The chemicals act like natural plant growth hormones. The leaves only become distorted when the leaf is attacked early in the growing season when it is rapidly expanding. Fully expanded leaves do not have the same reaction.
Below are two links with additional information that you may find helpful.
https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/ipm-pests/eriophyid-mites-2/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-and-mite-galls-5-577/
Thank you for the picture.
Your distorted and deformed aspen leaves are becoming evident at this time of year, and because they look so odd (possibly even alarming), they cause concern.
| Eriophyid mite on aspen leaves |
The good news is that the gall does not affect plant health, and usually the same tree is not hit two years in a row. So, it is just an aesthetic issue. The affected leaves can be cut out if they are really bothersome, but it is not necessary.
The distortion is caused by chemical secretions produced during feeding or egg laying. The chemicals act like natural plant growth hormones. The leaves only become distorted when the leaf is attacked early in the growing season when it is rapidly expanding. Fully expanded leaves do not have the same reaction.
Below are two links with additional information that you may find helpful.
https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/ipm-pests/eriophyid-mites-2/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-and-mite-galls-5-577/
Click below for picture.
