Our Holly tree has lots of dead branches and twigs that eventually fall off. What is the problem, and is there a control?
American, Chinese, and numerous holly hybrids have become susceptible to a gall-forming fungus known as sphaeropsis that causes the ends of branches to swell and then die back into the older wood. Dieback, a disease, has spread rapidly in recent years, and many gardeners are noticing holly limbs and even whole trees declining. There is no good control for the sphaeropsis fungus. Gardeners can remove the affected limbs as noted to help prevent the fungus spreading, but they should sterilize the pruners between cuts. Fungicides such as Thiomyl or Halts Systemic Fungicide may give some short-term control, but the disease always returns. Many landscapers are simply avoiding hollies and replanting with other trees to eliminate the problem.
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