Plum Tree Diseases Pictures | How to Identify and Treat

The plum tree is one of the most beautiful tree to have in your garden, but unfortunately, they are not immune to diseases and they can affect their structure, health, and fruit production.

The plum tree diseases include, brown rot, black knot, bacterial canker, gummosis, etc. The key to treating these diseases is early detection, so we provide you with some visual references of plum tree diseases pictures.

Below, we provide you with some expert advice of plum tree diseases treatment. So, without wasting any time, let’s get to it.

Plum Tree Diseases?

Like other plants, plum trees also have diseases that are mostly caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and other environmental factors. This disease spreads by different mediums like humidity, spores, poor maintenance, inconsistent watering, and other environmental factors.

How to use Picture for Early Detection:

Diseases are usually inevitable unless you take proper safety precautions as early as possible. For early detection, we provide you with pictures of plum diseases. So whenever you spot or suspect something in your plum tree, match it with the picture and its symptoms. If the symptoms match, then start treating the plum tree as early as possible.

Common Plum Tree Diseases Pictures:

Below we listed some of the common plum tree diseases with pictures for early detection, which inlcude:

Brown Rot:

Brown rot is one of the common plum tree diseases that affects the fruit and its leaves, branches and flowers. It is caused by a fungus by the name of Monolinia fructicola and Monolinia laxa. In brown rot, the fruit is covered with a powder-powdery grey spore. It attacks the plum tree in early blossom.

Solution:

For treatment you need to first remove all the infect fruit and branches, now apply a good fungicide but during the blooming season.

(source)

Black Knot:

In black knot well see a big, black gall like growth on the branches of plum, which slowing eating the tree and eventually kills it. It is a fungal disease that is caused by Apiosporina morbose. It is one of those diseases that spread very quickly.

Solution:

As a solution you need to cut the branches with knots. Cut and prune the branch at least 8 to 10 inches to prevent further spreading. Now, take a good fungicide spray and apply it during the spring season.

(source)

Plum Pocket Disease:

Pocket disease is caused by fungi by the name of Taphrina communis, which cause the abnormal growth of its fruit, and leaves. The also called Mock plums or Bladder pockets. It effect branches, stem, leaves but mostly visible in its fruits as you can see in the plum disease pictures.

Solution:

For a solution, you need to remove all the infected plums and start spraying with a good fungicide.

(source)

Leaf Spot (Short Hole Disease):

In leaf spot the leaves of plum tree has purple or reddish hoes which then turn into a big holes known as shot holes. It is fungus disease cause by Wilsonomyces coprophilous. Due to this infection, most of the infected leaves fell prematurely.

Solution:

For treating the plum short holes you first need to remove all the leaves that are infected. If I do not get a proper fungicide, I usually get a copper-based synthetic fungicide spray because it works very well against leaf spots.

Related: Green Beans Diseases Pictures

Bacterial Canker:

The bacterial canker is caused by a Pseudomonas syringae. In this diseases the bacteria infect via a wound and then spread in the branch. Those infected wound then produce gum which can also be can also be consider its symptom. If it’s not treated, then it can kill the entire tree.

Solution:

First of all remove any of the dead trees branches but make sure to avoid it doing in wet season because there is a chance of spreading bacteria. Further, you should use a copper base spray to prevent infection.

Rust:

In rust, you will see orange or yellow spots on the backside of plum trees leaves. It cause by a fungus by the name of Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae. It then causes the leaves to fall prematurely.

Solution:

For treatment, you should first remove all of the infected leaves and then apply a good fungicide.

Cytospora Canker:

In this disease reddish color cankers appear on the branches which could lead to the premature death of plum tree. It is caused by the fungi Leucocytospora cincta and Leucocytospora leucostoma. As you can see in the picture, a gummy sap comes from the wounded spot.

Solution:

At first, you should start pruning the plum infected branches pro, with proper watering, and add sufficient fertilizer to increase its boost.

(Source)

Root Rot in Plum Tree:

In the root rot the plum tree turning its leaves yellow which also stunned the overall growth. It causes by several Phytophthora species. It starts at the roots, which also start mushy and blackened. You will start seeing its signs once its leaves turn yellow.

Solution:

As a solution, avoid overwatering and improve its soil.

Gummosis:

In the gummosis the branches cracked which start fugal and insects infections. It can be caused by different things, including fungal and bacterial diseases. It can also be the reason for environmental stress.

Solution:

For its treatment, you should stop overwatering it. After that, you should use a good fungicide or bactericide.

Ornamental Plum Tree Diseases:

Ornamental plum trees, also known as flowering plum trees, are types of plum trees known for their appearance rather than their fruit. They have very beautiful foliage with white and pink flowers. You will find these ornamental plum trees mostly in Japan. Some of the common plum trees include

• Thundercloud Plum.
• Purple Leaf Plum.

Just like other plum tress, these ornamental plum trees also susceptible to have disease. Some of the flowering plum tree diseases including, brown rot, black knot, leaf spot, bacterial canker, and crown gall, etc. Most of these diseases are explained in the above article.

Preventative Measures for Plum Diseases:

There are a couple of steps that you can take to prevent diseases of plum trees from even happening.

Regular Pruning:

Regular pruning is very good for your plum trees. With the help of pruning, you can remove diseased and dead branches, which help air circulation and allow the sun to properly penetrate the plum tree. Secondly, it also reduces the chance of spreading any bacterial or fungal disease, but before pruning, make sure to sterilize the tools.

Here is a video demonstration of pruning Plum tree

Sufficient Watering and Drainage:

Whenever you water a plant make sure to only water them according to their needs because too little water stress the plants and to much water cause waterlogging, which can the become the reason of fungal infection like root rot etc.

During planting, you also need to ensure the soil you are using has proper Drainage because it can help absorb excessive water, which helps the plant avoid getting dangerous diseases.

Disease Resistance Varieties:

Just like other fruits and vegetables, plum also has disease resistance varieties that has less chance getting those diseases. So, if you plan to plant plum trees, use disease-resistant verities.

Cleaning up:

You might not know that, but sanitation is how to prevent plum trees from diseases. You should regularly clean the fallen fruit, leaves and branches of plum trees to prevent the plum tree from getting any diseases.

Conclusion:

Plum trees has many diseases but can be treated with proper care and precaution. But for that you need to identify it, and for that we have provide photo of each diseases for early detection. After that, you can use the recommended methods to treat these diseases.

I hope you understand the topic, but if you have any questions, then ask in the comment section, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.