Question:
Good afternoon Doc,
I have a Ruby Red Grapefruit tree in my back yard that is losing it’s leaves it also has some green strff and what appears to be sap bubbling from certain places on the trunk. What can I do to save my Tree?
- Tom from Cape Coral, FL
Doc’s Answer:
Tom, I’m sorry, but there is nothing you can do to save your grapefruit tree. Unfortunately it has become infected with Phytopthora root disease. There is no cure, Phytopthora infect many woody plants in the U.S. including Dogwood, Oak, Cedar, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Redwood, Birch, Rhododendron and many others
Phytopthora kills the roots and root crown area of infected plants. It is usually a slow death for the plant. Early leaf drop and yellowing, black or reddish sap flow and twig and branch die back give away to eventual death. There are man species of Phytopthora. P. Cininoni requires warm moist soil conditions while P. Cactoruim requires moist cool conditions. All phytopthora species however require high soil moisture, I see well irrigated lawns kill over watered plants in many landscapes around the country from Phytopthora.
“Doc”
American Lawn and Tree Arborists
Tags: ask the doc, organic tree care, p. cactoruim, p. cininoni, phytopthora root disease, ruby red grapefruit tree
