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Is leaf fungus worth treating? (front yard shrubs)

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

My lawn company has found leaf fungus on the plants in our front yard. We are a new house, going on one year, and we have one small tree in the front yard and six small bushes. All are infected. They want to treat the plants "to help them get established." They want to charge $250, but after we've told them no (and apparently a couple neighbors have done so as well), they have since said they realize that with so few plants, we could replace them for the same price, so they are going to come back with a better offer.


My question is two fold: (1) Is leaf fungus worth treating? Will it kill the plants if left alone? Or is it just unsightly? (2) What sounds like a reasonable price for treatment?


Photo below of what they gave me as samples from our bushes (to clarify, I am in SC zone 7b/8a). I also added some photos of my own. I do see the spots, but the plants look relatively healthy to me. Don't know if this is something that needs taken care of not. I have no experience in this area.


EDIT: I have added a clearer photo of the leaves they gave me without the plastic bag that some comments refer to.








Comments (6)

  • 2 years ago

    The company is trying it on. The 'fungus' is barely noticeable and of no concern whatsoever. There is no need for you to do anything, apart from perhaps mowing your own lawn and saving yourself some money.

  • 2 years ago

    I agree with floral - I see no evidence of fungus at all (although the first photo is quite blurry and could indicate some issues). If anything, the shrubs look a little off color but that could be seasonal stress or a nutrient issue. But not anything overtly pathogenic.

  • 2 years ago

    If you had a fungus, you could treat it with an anti-fungal that you buy for $10 or so. But, I, too, don't see any fungus at all. Lots of plants have new leaves that are a different color from the old leaves. That's what the second pic looks like. The maple looks perfectly healthy. I have occasionally have tar spot on my maple leaves, but it's a cosmetic issue that rarely harms the tree much.


    I would fire the lawn company. At best they are clueless, giving you bad advice based on their ignorance. At worst, they're trying to make a buck off of your ignorance instead of giving you professional advice.

  • 2 years ago

    Also the maple leaves look worn because it's late September. The leaves of deciduous plants often look tattered by fall.

  • 2 years ago

    where are you .. biog city name...


    imo.. deciduous plants lose there leaves in fall... and if its such a plant.. we DO NOT treat leaves that will be falling off ..


    and anyone who suggests otherwise is simply a thief... a criminal.. [and actually a polluter. since any unneeded use of chemicals is technically pollution.. dont you think ...]


    walk them to the edge of the property and tell them to leave.. forever... i might even repot them to the BBB.. all those elderly peeps they are ripping off.. not you.. their other clients ...


    and for a shiny penny.. i will tell you how i really feel about all this...


    as to your other plants.. they all to sleep for winter.. and need certain amounts of pruning either before winter .... or after..


    in the perennial and/or name that plant forums.. we can ID the plants for you.. and offer guidance of how to care for your gardens...


    and but for buying a few hand tools.. will be very much cheaper than hiring it out.. and frankly.. in my case.. it was therapeutic.... i used to joke.. after a meeting with my boss.. i would go home and dig holes all evening.. and then the next day.. go buy plants to put in the holes... much cheaper than therapy..


    as the sun declines in fall.. and the night temps start to chill.. ALL plants start to slow down for winter.. and we are not really concerned about ugly leaves that are going to fall off...many perennial plants are cut near to the ground.... just so we dont have to look at them all winter in this ugly state... but they surely usually dont need chemicals sprayed all over them.. crikey.. theyve been around since the dinosaurs without treatment.. why do these dopes need such... pshaw and a pox on their families...


    ken




  • 2 years ago

    next time use the tree and shrub forums.. and forget the design forums...and use the name that plant forum if you want to learn about the plants you own....


    and btw.. are we even sure those leaves came from your plants??.. why the plastic bag...???


    i did note on rereading.. SC...


    ken