Here in Memphis, TN, many property owners deal with various plant diseases that cause extensive damage to their trees and shrubs. Some of the most common and troublesome diseases here that you need to be on the lookout for are powdery mildew, anthracnose, scab, and canker. These plant diseases can weaken their health and affect their appearance, so it's important to know how to identify them so you can treat your plants and defend them from these infections. Keep reading to learn more about these plant diseases and what you should do if you see them on your trees and shrubs!


Powdery mildew is a common plant disease to look out for.

Powdery mildew is a disease that causes white or light gray powdery growth on different parts of an infected plant, but most commonly appears on the foliage. While this fungus often attacks young leaves, stems, and flowers, it can also target mature plant growth. Additionally, it thrives in warm and dry environments, which is why most people in Memphis, TN, will see its symptoms appearing around summer.

When left untreated, powdery mildew can cause the foliage of your plants to wither and become discolored. It can also weaken them and stunt their growth. An effective way to treat powdery mildew is to schedule a curative treatment. This treatment will stop the disease from progressing and causing more stress to your plants.


Anthracnose is another disease that affects many plants in Memphis, TN.

One of the most common plant diseases in Memphis, TN, you need to be on the lookout for is anthracnose. It is a fungal disease that can be characterized by brown spots on the stems, leaves, fruits, or flowers of your plants, and it thrives in cool, wet weather.

Without proper treatment, anthracnose can defoliate your trees and shrubs and cause the limbs to die. Applying a curative treatment is the best way to eliminate this disease from your plants. Timing is crucial when treating an infected plant, so you'll want to hire professionals to inspect them and administer the treatment for the best results.

Anthracnose commonly affects ash, oak, maple, and sycamore trees.


Scab is a damaging disease that can hinder the health of your plants.

Scab is a disease that can spread via spores through the air from other infected plants. When your plants become infected with this disease, the first thing you'll notice is yellow spots on the foliage. Over time, these spots will become dark, and the undersurface of the leaves will develop velvety growth. Fruits are not immune to it either, as they will develop gray-black lesions with a velvety texture and can drop prematurely if the disease progresses.

This disease causes the most issues for plants in Memphis, TN, in the spring. That's because the mildly wet and moist conditions during this season are perfect for scab disease! However, you can take advantage of curative treatments to treat your affected plants. It's also a good idea to prune them to improve airflow and reduce moisture within their interior parts.


Canker is a harmful disease commonly found on plants in Memphis, TN.

Caused by a wide range of fungi and bacteria, canker is a disease that can affect the health and appearance of your plants in Memphis, TN. This disease causes round or irregularly shaped lesions on twigs and branches, eventually killing the foliage. Because canker is caused by numerous fungi and bacteria, you'll want to treat your plants with the proper curative treatment to stop the disease from spreading.


Call us today to schedule our tree and shrub disease and insect control service.

Our team at Picture Perfect Landscapes offers a tree and shrub disease and insect control service that can target common plant diseases, including powdery mildew, anthracnose, scab, and canker, as well as other troublesome pests. This service is part of our tree and shrub care program, which includes routine inspections for diseases and insects, along with fertilization treatments to bolster healthy growth. If we notice any infections on your plants, we'll promptly administer our curative treatments to stop the spread.

We offer our tree and shrub disease and insect control service to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Memphis, Midtown Memphis, East Memphis, TN, and nearby areas. Call us today at (901) 246-7656 to schedule!