Holly & Witches Broom Gall

Photo from: mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/jos/Sphaeropsis.htm

Witches’ broom, or Sphaeropsis gall, is an important disease of some holly species and cultivars in central and south Florida landscapes and nurseries. Below you will find information regarding Sphaeropsis from several different sources.

The Orlando Sentinel reported in 2006:
Their beloved red berries have rounded out Christmas wreaths for decades. Their evergreen leaves make them a top choice of landscapers and streetscape planners as Central Florida grows. But an unstoppable fungus attacking local East Palatka hollies has killed many and crippled nearly all of the remaining trees between Tampa and Orlando, experts say. "It's more rare to find one not affected by it than affected," said Celeste White, an Orange County extension agent who specializes in horticulture. Commonly known as "witches'-broom," the fungal ailment deforms the holly tree, starting with knotty spots on the branches. Patches of growth sprout upward from the infected... http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29018229_ITM

From Orange County extension office:
Disease Pest: Sphaeropsis gall (Sphaeropsis tumefaciens)

Recognition: Symptoms range from inconspicuous swellings of young twigs to irregular galls on older wood. Multiple shoots arise from galled areas, causing a “witches broom” type of growth. Horizontal branches can “tip up”to grow nearly vertically. Dieback of infected branches eventually occurs.

Contributing factors: Although many Ilex species are susceptible, Sphaeropsis gall has become a severe problem on East Palatka and Savannah hollies in particular. Natural or mechanical wounds in the wood allow entry points for the organism. Pruning may allow it to spread rapidly by transferring the fungus and allowing an entry point into the plant.

Management recommendations: Prune branches 4 to 6 inches below symptoms. Prune during dry times, avoiding periods when rainfall is expected 24 hours before or after pruning. Sterilize pruners between cuts and/or plants. Fungicides are not effective except as a preventative sprayed immediately after pruning. Severely infected plants should be removed and destroyed.

For more information, go to this link http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/fh_publications.html#sd
Publication is titled Diseases of hollies in Florida landscapes.

Here in Florida, many of the witch’s brooms are a result of a fungal infection from Sphaeropsis tumefaciens. Many plants in Florida are know to be affected by this disease, including oleander, holly, bottlebrush, citrus, Carissa, crape myrtle, Ligustrum and even the Brazilian Peppertree. On some of these plants the symptoms produced are a knotty gall rather than the witch’s broom effects.
from: http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/witches.broom.htm


Photo from: mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/jos/Sphaeropsis.htm

Our local extension office said they have not seen any good results from pruning but if you wish to try that before removing/replacing the plant, read their advice here:

Dealing with infected plants
Prune branches at least 6 inches below where symptoms are seen. Look at the cut end of the stem to see if any discoloration from the fungal growth in the wood is noticed. Prune that branch back further if this is noticed.

Prune during dry times, avoiding periods when rainfall is expected 24 hours before or after pruning. To prevent infection of unaffected plant parts, dip pruning tools in a disinfectant such as 10% Clorox or rubbing alcohol before using them on an other branch o r plant.

For commercial landscapers, I’d suggest that they have a bucket of bleach handy, with several pairs or pruners on hand. Make one cut, the place the pruner in the bucket, and retrieve another one from the sanitizing solution. Bleach needs a good 30 seconds to sanitize the pruner surface if this disease is to be killed.

Severely infected plants should be removed and destroyed. No chemical fungicides are available to control witches' broom. We don’t know of any Oleander cultivars that have resistance to this disease.

If you need to replace a diseased holly with a plant that is disease and gall resistant, Palmers recommends the Japanese Blueberry which can reach 40 to 60 feet in height or a dwarf variety of the same like Monrovia's Little Emperor.