Leaf disease on trees? The DNR says to leaf it alone

Near historic rainfall across much of Minnesota between April and August is good news for the forests but has put additional strain on trees.

A very wet spring helped spread microscopic fungi carrying common leaf diseases including Marssonia leaf blight on aspen and bur oak blight.

The DNR advises leaf pathogens don't appear to be harmful to trees' overall health.

"They certainly make the tree look unhealthy, but healthy trees will fully leaf-out the following spring," the DNR stated in a newsletter.

The last several years of droughts will also impact trees’ growth for years to come, with some of the fall colors already seen this year attributed to the previous year’s drought.

The DNR recommends leaving trees with damaged leaves alone this fall, noting the forests needed rain after several years of deficits.

Dying branch tips on oak trees may indicate bigger problems, like root damage, insect infestations or oak decline. The DNR reports people should consider hiring a professional arborist if they're experiencing oak decline.

Funding for this environmental story was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).