What is the black stuff that gets all over the leaves and fruit of my tree?
Fruit with Sooty MoldThis is a fungus called sooty mold which grows on the fecal deposits (honey dew) of sucking insects (aphids, scales, mealybugs and whiteflies). The fungus does not infect the leaf, but merely grows on the leaf surface feeding on the honeydew. Control aphids and whiteflies with insecticidal soap. Use horticultural oil to control scales and mealybugs.
