Content
- Does the chestnut often suffer from diseases?
- Which diseases most threaten chestnuts?
- How can I protect my chestnut from disease?
- The most common diseases of sweet chestnut:
- Tips
Diseases can often be recognized on the leaves
Does the chestnut often suffer from diseases?
Surely you have already seen chestnuts with brown leaves in the middle of summer. Healthy, these trees are not. Responsible for this is usually the horse chestnut miner moth. But other diseases and pests can be fatal to a chestnut.
Which diseases most threaten chestnuts?
The sweet chestnut bark cancer manifests itself in reddish discolored and later rising bark. It is triggered by a very aggressive fungus and has already destroyed entire stocks. Therefore, the bark cancer is probably considered the most dangerous disease in sweet chestnuts. Trees whose bark is already damaged or injured are particularly at risk.
The inky disease is particularly prone to sweet chestnuts standing in damp impermeable soil. It is caused by fungi that penetrate the roots and prevent the supply of water. This will make the leaves wither and parts of the crown may die off. A dark fluid escapes from the trunk in some places, giving its name to the disease.
Even the fruits themselves, the chestnuts can be infected by pests, namely the chestnut burger or the chestnut winder. The chestnut drill is a small weevil, it eats the chestnuts from the inside empty. The chestnut winder lays down its larvae in the fruit.
How can I protect my chestnut from disease?
The best protection against various diseases or infestation with pests is still a well-suited location and the right care. Plant your chestnut in a warm sunny spot with slightly acidic humus soil. Use a potassium-based fertilizer to ensure a balanced nutrient supply and prevent the plant from standing too long with wet feet.
In case of an infestation with the dreaded sweet chestnut bark cancer, the sweet chestnuts can now be vaccinated with the help of a less aggressive fungus. Against the chestnut winder it helps to put a belt of corrugated cardboard around the trunk. It is best to look for a resistant and suitable for your region before buying a chestnut.
The most common diseases of sweet chestnut:
Tips
If you have just decided to plant one or more sweet chestnuts, then you should choose resistant varieties.