Bacterial Leaf Scorch Infection

This incurable plant disease that has infected an estimated 39 percent of oaks statewide. The economic impact of this disease could be devastating to municipal budgets in New Jersey as trees will need to be pruned and in many cases removed. The aesthetic impact of this disease will be felt throughout New Jersey’s affected municipalities, as large tree removals will change the character of neighborhoods, and replacement trees will take decades to grow to the size of the trees that were removed. There is no cure for Bacterial Leaf Scorch, but with proper management affected trees can often be maintained for many years. Agricultural agents are determining proper management methods and educating tree-care professionals in these methods.