Quince Trees - Leaf Blight

Quince Leaf Blight can be a nuisance on quince trees. Usually the first evidence is of lots of small spots on the leaves. Quite quickly these turn from red to brown or black and they often join up to make larger, irregular shaped patches on the leaves which go yellow and drop early.

The disease can spread to the fruit which will show the same spotting and blotching and which can also distort as a result. In severe cases the soft wood at the tips of the shoots can be blighted and can die back.

As with nearly all fungal infections, good hygene works wonders. Rake up and burn the leaves and cut out any infected shoots and burn those also (never compost infected matter). Spray your quince tree with a copper based fungicide immediately and then again in spring just as the leaves open.