- The hawthorn is a deciduous tree and is in the same family as the rosebush. It makes an effective hedgerow due to its rapid growth and thorny branches. Hawthorns can live for many generations and are very hardy. Some varieties bloom once or twice a year. It has small green berries on its branches that turn red in autumn. The hawthorn is not without problems, though, as it is susceptible to many diseases.
- Fire blight is caused by warm, damp conditions and the bacteria that thrives in these temperatures. A hawthorn affected by fire blight is easy to spot, as the branches turn a dark brown or black color, and the tree starts to wither. If not treated, a hawthorn with fire blight will eventually die. To rid a hawthorn of this disease, prune 10 to 12 inches below any signs of blight. The wood should be burned or removed from the area.
- Leaf rust is a fungus that also attacks rose bushes. Because the wind blows spores onto plants, there is no way to prevent this fungus. It can be diagnosed by the presence of raised bright orange spots, according to the gardenguides.com website. These generally show up primarily underneath the leaves.
- Rain and wind spread leaf spot spores onto healthy plants, thus spreading the fungus. When a hawthorn is affected by the leaf spot, the leaves will turn a yellowish hue and drop off. This disease can initially be identified by the presence of small, angular purple dots.
- The stem rust fungus--the spores of which are spread by wind and rain--affects the fruit, twigs and leaves of the hawthorn tree. Small orange spots will show up on the leaves before they start to die and fall off. Misshapen fruits and twigs are another sign of stem rust.
- A common disease that affects many plants, including the hawthorn, is powdery mildew, which is spread by wind and rain when the temperatures are hot and humid. You can easily spot this, as it appears to be a white or sometimes grayish-looking fungus on the leaves of the hawthorn.
Fire Blight
Leaf Rust
Leaf Spot
Stem Rust
Powdery Mildew
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