Purple Smoke Tree Leaves Drying/Wilting - Ask Extension
We noticed our purple smoke tree looks sick. The leaves appear brittle and not like it is turning color.I trimmed off the most affected limb but I see...
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Purple Smoke Tree Leaves Drying/Wilting #849686
Asked September 12, 2023, 7:19 PM EDT
We noticed our purple smoke tree looks sick. The leaves appear brittle and not like it is turning color.
I trimmed off the most affected limb but I see bad leaves elsewhere.
Looking online it suggests it may be impacted by a fungus but I was wondering if you had any experience with this.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Marie-
Thanks for your question and the good pictures. This could be a fungal issue known as verticillium wilt. To care for your struggling smoke bush, you can trim off the dead branches.
You can refer to our webpage on verticillium wilt here:
1400-6 – Verticillium Wilt of Catalpa and Other Trees – PlantTalk Colorado (colostate.edu)
Plants can live with the naturally occurring soil born fungal disease for many years if they are cared for; trim off the dead branches, make sure to supplement water as needed by feeling the soil first to see if the plant needs watering, and fertilize if necessary.
You can also bring a sample of the tree into our office so that one of our diagnosticians can evaluate it. We're located in Longmont at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. You can call the Boulder County Extension office main desk at<personal data hidden> for consultation services including Site Visits, Plant ID, Disease Diagnosis, Problem Solving Help.
Best wishes,
Boulder County Extension Master Gardeners
Thanks for your question and the good pictures. This could be a fungal issue known as verticillium wilt. To care for your struggling smoke bush, you can trim off the dead branches.
You can refer to our webpage on verticillium wilt here:
1400-6 – Verticillium Wilt of Catalpa and Other Trees – PlantTalk Colorado (colostate.edu)
Plants can live with the naturally occurring soil born fungal disease for many years if they are cared for; trim off the dead branches, make sure to supplement water as needed by feeling the soil first to see if the plant needs watering, and fertilize if necessary.
You can also bring a sample of the tree into our office so that one of our diagnosticians can evaluate it. We're located in Longmont at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. You can call the Boulder County Extension office main desk at<personal data hidden> for consultation services including Site Visits, Plant ID, Disease Diagnosis, Problem Solving Help.
Best wishes,
Boulder County Extension Master Gardeners
