Persimmon trees are a part of this Diospyros genus of plants, and are prized in the home landscape for their shiny green leaves and the edible fruit they create. Native American persimmon trees are hardy in a variety of climates and soils once established, and are usually easy to keep. But leaf damage may occur if your persimmon is infested by insect pests or experiencing fungal infection.

Scale Insects

Both soft and armored scale insects may infect persimmon trees. Common species include soft species like brown soft scale (Coccus hesperidum) and armored scale species like white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona). When persimmon trees are heavily infested with leaf, leaf damage incorporates wilting and yellowing, which could result in defoliation. Scale insects may cause the leaves to curl or develop blemishes. Scales feed on the plant juices, and soft scale species secrete honeydew. This may result in sooty mold on leaves and twigs. While most scale infestations are not life-threatening for your own tree, they could decrease vigor, making it vulnerable to other fatal insects and disease. To control scale infestations when eggs and crawlers are visible, apply olive oil in two programs approximately 10 to 14 days apart. Applications of dormant oil just before bud swell may also provide effective control. Minor infestations can be controlled by pruning out heavily infested regions.

Persimmon Psyllid

The persimmon psyllid (Trioza diospyri) is a miniature, leaf-feeding pest that is similar to an aphid. This is a key leaf pest of the persimmon tree, and infestations may cause leaf damage like curling and deformation. White, powdery nymphs and black adults are available feeding within the distorted leaves, making control difficult. Psylla are frequently controlled by natural predators, and harm is usually moderate and doesn’t affect the general health of the tree, so avoid applying insecticides before after you’ve observed damage. Control of pesticides containing azadirachtin, imidacloprid, or pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide should be secured to the bloom stage and applied directly on the adult insects to decrease or avoid egg-laying. You may also control psyllid infestations with programs of horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars like fall webworm, red-humped caterpillar and changeable oak leaf caterpillar may infest persimmon trees and can cause considerable harm to the leaves depending on the severity of the infestation. But most caterpillars are regulated by atopic parasites, so damage to your tree is frequently cosmetic rather than life-threatening. Forest tent caterpillars will feed on new development, just after bud break, while webworms make large webs on leaf and twigs. Heavy infestations may require the use of insecticides containing azadirachtin, spinosad, or pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide. Control can also be feasible with biological insecticides containing the naturally occurring bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.

Verticillium Wilt

Verticillium wilt is a devastating disorder of persimmon trees that is brought on by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium albo-atrum. As infection progresses through your tree, the leaves wilt and turn light green to yellowish in color. With time that the leaves brown and shrivel up. The wood also becomes discolored and fruit may not grow. Eventually infection may result in plant death. In case your persimmon shows leaf harm in the verticillium wilt, you may not have to eliminate the tree, although treatment of fungicide is usually ineffective. Prune out infected limbs and preserve adequate nourishment and water to keep plant health. In some scenarios, proper care and maintenance may delay progression of infection for many years. However, because infection originates from the roots and cannot be cured, it will gradually cause plant death.

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