Tree-Lilac Leaf Spot

Pseudocercospora

Key Features


  • Angular leaf spot
  • Discolored lesions
  • Leaf loss

Symptoms


On tree lilacs, leaf spots are brown to black and angular. For this reason, this disease can be mistaken for foliar nematode or bacterial blight. Laboratory diagnosis is necessary to confirm this pest.

Pseudocercospora can be mistaken for bacterial disease. Photo by Ren Hall.
Pseudocercospora Leaf Spot. Photo by Ren Hall

Biology


This disease has outbreaks during periods of high humidity and moderate temperatures.

Management Recommendations


Remove and destroy leaf litter and prune out dead branches to reduce overwintering inoculum. Pseudocercospora leaf spots rarely become severe enough to damage the plant. No fungicides have been specifically tested for control of this disease on Japanese tree lilac but other fungicides containing chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl and myclobutanil have been found effective on other hosts.

Effective Pesticides


Active Ingredients include: Chlorothalonil, Myclobutanil, Thiophanate-methyl

landscape report
Purdue Landscape Report
PPDL
Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory