[Sweetpea C]

Hi all,

I was giving my crab apple a trim yesterday and notice some of the leaves had black spot. Completely butchered it to get rid of it all (which I will take to the tip rather than shred or compost) but have the following questions:
1. does the tree need any further treatment (including taking it out?)
2. I think it is on my other perrenials - if I find it should I just remove anything infected?
3. How can I prevent it spreading?

Any advice would be gratefully received,

Many thanks,

Caroline

[gobs]

Nothing I personally, normally do. Black spot or tarring of tree leaves is common. What you did is enough, I think. Stop worrying much, they'll be fine.

This disease, even though looks very alike is rather plant specific, it is unlikely to spread from one to the other.

What you could do is to air up the situation, if you can, clear out a bit and let more sunshine in.

[Yorkie]

If it is black spot, this is usually a fungal disease.

As gobs says, you've done the right thing.  Make sure no leaves remain on the ground, in order to minimise reinfection from that source next year.  But at this point in the season when the leaves are dropping anyway, there's little chance of it permanently damaging the tree.

[Sweetpea C]

Thanks both - I did sound a bit dramatic there didn't I?!!! 

I'll go on patrol and remove all of the infected leaves.