Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Xylella fastidiosa
Overview
A chronic, progressive disease of shade trees caused by the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, transmitted by leafhoppers and spittlebugs. Causes marginal leaf scorch that worsens each year.
Symptoms
Brown, scorched leaf margins, often with a yellow or reddish border between dead and green tissue. Symptoms appear in late summer and worsen annually. Premature leaf drop. Progressive branch dieback. Tree decline over 5-10+ years.
Environmental Conditions
Hot
Prevention
Control leafhopper and spittlebug vectors. Plant resistant tree species. Maintain tree vigor. Avoid planting susceptible species in areas with known disease pressure.
Management
No cure. Maintain tree vigor with proper watering and fertilization. Prune dead branches. Antibiotic trunk injections (oxytetracycline) provide temporary symptom suppression. Consider tree replacement with resistant species.