Boxwood Blight - Memorable Tips for Easy Identification

This weekend, the local Lexington newspaper, the Herald Leader, published a story on boxwood and boxwood blight.  Thus, I anticipate an influx of suspect samples and concerns.  Also, as weather becomes cooler and more rain is upon us, it is possible that the disease may appear in Kentucky this fall.  Below is a refresher on this devastating disease:

Boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola) was reported in southern Ohio this spring, but has yet to be found in Kentucky.  Nursery growers in the northern counties are especially concerned about movement of the disease across state lines. 



Figure 1 & 2.  Boxwood blight is most easily recognized by leaf drop.  Photos by Kelly Ivors, NC State.

 

Symptoms of boxwood blight are different from some of the most commonly observed boxwood problems.  For example, stem blight and drought damage result in foliage turning bright bronze or straw-colored while remaining intact.  Boxwood blight, in contrast, results in rapid defoliation of plants (Figure 1& 2).  Another distinguishing symptom of boxwood blight is brown stem lesions that are easily recognized after leaf drop (Fig 3).  Earliest symptoms include leaf spots, but these spots often go unnoticed unless a persistent scouting program is in place (Figure 4).  Roots are not affected.

Figure 3.  Brown stem lesions, a distinguishing characteristic of boxwood blight, are often noticed after leaf drop.  Photo permission by Kelly Ivors, NC State.

 

Avoid unhealthy plants at all costs.  Homeowners should examine plants carefully before purchase, avoiding plants with leaf or stem lesions or an unhealthy appearance.  Growers should carefully inspect incoming plants and liners before introducing them into production areas. 

Cultural practices can help prevent conditions that are conducive for the fungal pathogen.  Space plants for air circulation and rapid drying of foliage.  Overhead irrigation should be avoided.  Fungicides are not available for management of boxwood blight.  Infected plants must be destroyed by burning or burying.

Figure 4.  Leaf spots, the earliest symptoms of boxwood blight, can be detected by scouting.  Photo permission by Kelly Ivors, NC State.

 

Report suspected cases of boxwood blight immediately to your local Extension agent or specialist or to the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab. 

Figure 5.  Comparison of boxwood blight to Volutella stem blight and Macrophoma blight.