Is your Meyer lemon tree sick? Discover some of the most common Meyer lemon tree diseases below.

Citrus trees are absolutely beautiful and one of the most popular is the Meyer lemon tree.

If you currently have or are looking to add lemon trees to your garden or landscaping, you want to make sure that you know how to properly care for and protect them. Even citrus trees aren't immune to disease.

If you're worried that your Meyer lemon tree may be sick, you need to check out some of the most common Meyer lemon tree diseases that occur and what you can do about them.

Citrus Scab

Does your lemon tree have areas that look like warts or scabs? It could be infected by one of the common Meyers lemon tree diseases: citrus scab. Citrus scab attacks the leaves, twigs, and fruit of the lemon tree.

These citrus scab pustules can spread quickly. Trees are most vulnerable during the first three months following the fall of their blossoms. It's important to protect the trees during this time. Applying a copper fungicide regularly during this time will help protect the lemon tree.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a lemon disease that may affect your citrus tree. This disease causes the leaves to shrivel up and turn dark in color. In just a matter of days after a tree becomes infected, the disease can turn a beautiful tree into a mess.

You will want to destroy any infected leaves and prune away any dead limbs.

Armillaria Root Rot

A common Meyer lemon disease is Armillaria root rot. Symptoms of this disease include yellowing leaves, a decline in foliage, and white growths under the bark that smell.

Depending upon when the tree is diagnosed with Armillaria root rot, you may not be able to save the tree. Once honey-colored mushrooms appear on the bark, it's too late to treat the disease.

Botrytis fungus

After lemon trees are exposed to long periods of rain, it can become susceptible to a disease called botrytis fungus. This disease is presented with gray mold and can spread very quickly.

Wounded plants are more likely to be affected so be sure you're taking great care of your lemon trees. You will need to remove any affected plants and thoroughly clean between trees to prevent the infection from getting to other plants and trees.

Phytophthora Fungus

Another Meyer lemon tree disease to look out for is Phytophthora fungus. This fungus causes gummosis which is presented as a gummy presence on the surfaces of the lemon tree.

Phytophthora fungus lives in the soil. You will need to remove all infected fruit and leaves from both the tree and those that have fallen off the tree. You will want to follow up with a fungicide to further protect the tree from more damage.

Get Educated on Lemon Tree Diseases

If you have or plan on having lemon trees, it's important to be educated on lemon tree diseases. You should know how to treat and even prevent these types of diseases so that your trees will thrive. 

Growing Trees is fun, and every tree we send comes with a 20-page care guide.