4 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Phyllosticta hamamelidis often causes leaf blight on the witchhazels.

Shrub

• Common Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
• Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)

Spots tend to be irregular brown shaped spots with purplish edges on the upper leaf surface. At the same time, there is a lighter brown spot on the lower surface. Spots may merge to cause larger brown dead areas (blight) that can encompass the entire leaf. This disease tends to make witchhazel an undesirable, up-close landscape plant.

The pathogen overwinters on dead plant material. It is spread to new plant tissue by wind and rain.

Follow good sanitation practices.

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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
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A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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