The English Hawthorn (Rotdorn) is a total showstopper with those vibrant crimson blooms, but don’t sleep on its foliage! The leaves have a beautiful, distinct shape and add great texture to your garden. Normally, these trees drop their leaves in the winter, but if you start seeing a “summer leaf drop,” that’s a major red flag that something is up.
Summer Leaf Loss in English Hawthorn
If your Hawthorn starts shedding leaves while it’s still warm out, it’s definitely not just “getting ready for winter.” You’ll want to do some detective work to see if a disease is the culprit. Here are the usual suspects:
- Leaf Blight (Entomosporium)
- Leaf Drop Disease
- Leaf Spot Disease
- Other Fungal Infections
Leaf Blight
Leaf blight is a super common fungal issue for Hawthorns. You’ll first notice small brownish spots that eventually grow and merge until the entire leaf changes color. Before you know it, the leaf falls off, leaving your tree looking pretty bare in the middle of summer. Since this fungus is tough and can survive through the winter, make sure you rake up every single fallen leaf and toss them in the trash (don’t compost them!).
Pro tip: You can also apply a fungicide after the blooming period—just make sure to spray both the tops and bottoms of the leaves.
Leaf Drop Disease
This is another fungal infection, and you can spot it by looking for small, round brown spots. As the infection spreads, the spots take over the whole leaf, causing it to turn yellow, dry out, and curl up before finally falling off. This premature leaf loss isn’t just an eyesore; it actually weakens the entire tree over time.
Leaf Spot Disease
If your Hawthorn is losing leaves in the summer and you see tons of tiny black dots on yellowing leaves, you’re likely dealing with leaf spot fungus. This one loves damp, humid weather. The best move here is to collect the fallen leaves and dispose of them in the garbage. The good news? This fungus doesn’t usually stick around every year, so you generally don’t need to break out the heavy-duty fungicides. Your Hawthorn should bounce back just fine.
Other Fungal Issues
You might also run into rust fungi, which can turn Hawthorn leaves black. While it might look a bit scary, it’s usually harmless to the tree’s overall health. It definitely ruins the “aesthetic” of your hedge or tree, though! To keep things looking sharp, rake up the fallen leaves and toss them. If the look really bothers you, a standard fungicide can help get your Hawthorn back to its beautiful self.
