Maple: Verticillium wilt

Biology

Verticillium wilt is caused by a soilborne fungus. It infects plants via the roots and then spreads throughout the plant. Symptoms on the aboveground portion on the plant include suddenly wilted yellow or brown foliage which hangs on the branches. Symptoms of infection are often on only one side of the tree or scattered throughout the canopy, but may not be noticed until warm weather or other periods of stress. Infected maples may display greenish to black streaks when cuts are made into the wood and often develop long cankers on trunk or limbs. Infected plants may be killed or may tolerate infection for several seasons.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Prune and destroy infected limbs. Disinfect pruning tools after use.
• Plant tolerant maple varieties in infected soil. Acer platanoides ‘Jade Glen’ and A. platanoides ‘Parkway’ are reported to be tolerant of Verticillium wilt. For information on other resistant plants, contact your county Extension agent or WSU Master Gardeners.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended

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