Can anyone tell me what kind of tree this is AND why I would get black soot looking like coverage on the leaves of one
by
Bob H -
+11
of the trees? It appears to be some type of fungus. How can I correct this?
14 answers
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These plants are Eliocarpus and I use them in landscaping all the time and they normally are problem free. The sooty mold can be controled with an oil spray,just follow the label exactly.
Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co.
on Sep 22, 2011
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Bob, the common name for Elaeocarpus is Japanese blueberry tree, although the fruit they produce is inedible. They should bounce back from the sooty mold easily using the horticultural oil. Good luck! (@ Belle: Podocarpus have much narrower leaves.)
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 22, 2011
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@ Rebel: Is the problem scale or aphids or whitefly?
Walter Reeves
on Sep 22, 2011
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Thanks for your replies. Do you recommend a particular spray? Vince, do you have a tonic for this? It is strange because the two trees are right next to each other, exposed to the same amount of sun / shade, yet one has a problem and the other does not. The black soot will wash off with a little pressure from the hose.
Bob H -
on Sep 22, 2011
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Douglas....I have not witnessed any fruit. These were planted last March when the home was built.
Bob H -
on Sep 22, 2011
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Bob, your plants have been sheared pretty vigorously to give them that pyramidal shape, which may have eliminated the flowers. There should be inconspicuous flowers in spring, and blueish black fruit in winter.
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 23, 2011
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Douglas, I do get tiny pink floweres in the spring, but do not remember seeing any fruit last year. I have just recently trimmed them to keep their Christmas tree shape...should I have not have?
Bob H -
on Sep 24, 2011
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What brand of oil is best?
Bob H -
on Sep 24, 2011
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Bob, since we're still having what for most of the country would be considered summer weather, make sure you use a summer-weight oil. That's more important than the particular brand. You will lose some berries with trimming, but the alternative is having a less formal-looking tree. You have to weigh what's most important.
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 24, 2011
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Thanks Douglas! I have looked around at different oil sprays but am not sure which is best. Do you have a favorite? Where can I get this?
Bob H
on Sep 24, 2011
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I don't have a favorite, Bob. Sorry. Try Lucas Nursery in Oviedo if that's not too far from you.
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 24, 2011
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Not at all! Thanks
Bob H
on Sep 24, 2011
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ARRGH! I absolutely HATE when pics are posted sideways! Come on Bob, learn how to save and edit pics if you are sending them!
Ken H
on Sep 24, 2011
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Thank you for chasticizing me Ken.
Bob H
on Sep 27, 2011
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