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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous Trees > Forsythia > Leaves discolored brown to black and wilted

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Forsythia > Stems/branches > Leaves discolored brown to black and wilted

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Botryosphaeria Canker
Botryosphaeria dothidea

  • Leaves on one or more branches wilt, turn brown and die
  • Bark on infected branches is darker, cracked, or blistered at the site of the canker
  • Wood beneath the canker is dark brown
  • Common on shrubs stressed by drought, winter injury and other factors
  • More information on Botryosphaeria Canker
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Bacterial blight
Pseudomonas syringae pv syringae

  • Brown spots with yellowish haloes on leaves
  • Spots may enlarge or grow together causing the leaves to turn black and die
  • Young shoots and stems may be black and wilted
  • Flowers and flower buds turn black and wilt
  • More information on bacterial blight
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Twig blight
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

  • Leaves and twigs on one or more branches die suddenly
  • Common on branches found near the ground
  • White, fuzzy fungal growth may be seen on infected branches
  • Hard black bodies (sclerotia) are found on the inside of infected twigs when split open
  • Most common in nursery settings under cool, wet conditions
  • More information on Twig blight

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