Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous > Sumac > Dead branches or branch or shoot dieback
Sumac > Stems/branches > Dead branches or branch or shoot dieback
1 of 3
Oystershell scale
Lepidosaphes ulmi
- Light to moderate infestations show little or no symptoms
- Severe infestations can cause chlorotic, stunted foliage
- Dieback and cracked bark can result from heavy infestations
- Light to dark brown, elongated, 1/10 to 1/8 inch long oyster-shell shaped scales found on bark
- More information on Oystershell Scale
2 of 3
Verticillium wilt
Verticillium dahliae
- Leaves on one to several branches turn red to yellow, wilt, die and fall off
- Dark olive to gray streaks are often visible in the sapwood if the bark is peeled back
- Symptoms often seen in one to a few branches but may spread to the entire canopy
- Symptoms are often most obvious in late summer and autumn but can occur throughout the growing season
- More information on verticillium wilt
3 of 3
Botryosphaeria canker
Botryoshaeria spp.
- Leaves on one or more branches wilt, die and turn brown
- Cankers are sunken, dark colored areas on branches
- Fungal fruiting bodies give canker area a rough or pimpled appearance
- Infected young shoots turn dark brown and curl over in a shepherd's crook
- More information on Botryosphaeria canker
