Leaf Scorch
Multiple causes: drought, salt, wind, Xylella fastidiosa (bacterial leaf scorch)
Overview
A condition where leaf edges and tips turn brown and dry, caused by various factors including drought stress, salt damage, hot winds, root damage, or bacterial infection (Xylella).
Symptoms
Brown, dry, papery margins on leaves. Browning progresses inward between veins. May affect one side of the tree or individual branches. Premature leaf drop. Progressive decline over years (bacterial form).
Environmental Conditions
Hot
Prevention
Ensure adequate watering during drought. Avoid salt exposure. Protect from hot, drying winds. Maintain healthy root systems. For bacterial form: control leafhopper and spittlebug vectors.
Management
Water deeply during dry periods. Mulch to conserve moisture. Reduce salt exposure. For bacterial leaf scorch: no cure; maintain tree vigor, prune dead branches, consider tree replacement.