Key Features
- Symptoms only on same aged leaves
- Curled or cupped leaves
- Distorted or discolored new growth
Symptoms
Due to the vast number of herbicides used in the landscape habitat, their misuse can injure trees in many ways. For instance, roundup and 2,4-D cause leaves to be smaller and more elongated whereas some growth regulator herbicides cause upward curling of leaves. Leaf cupping and irregular growth of leaves is typical of herbicide injury. Herbicide drift onto the main stem of young trees can injure them as well, resulting in cankers and dead patches of cambium.
Biology
Most herbicide injury develops within days, although sublethal injury may not show up until the following year, and presents as small, strap leaves upon bud break.
Management Recommendations
Careful use of herbicide and following label directions are essential. Damage that does not rapidly kill the plant may take years to recover from, and some plants may be so unattractive as to warrant removal.
Effective Pesticides
Pesticides are neither available nor recommended for managing this condition.
Resources
- Not satisfied with ID? Contact the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab
- Sign Up for the Purdue Landscape Report
