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Sweet chestnut · Castanea sativa

Why are there spots on my sweet chestnut leaves?

Leaf spots on sweet chestnuts are often the result of fungal infections like leaf blight. Check if the spots are appearing after a long period of wet, humid weather.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Examine the underside of the leaves for fungal growth.
  2. Check branches for orange or sunken cankers.
  3. Look for fallen leaves that may be harboring spores.

Likely causes

  1. Fungal leaf spot

    Most likely

    How to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo.

    What to do: Rake up and destroy all fallen leaves in autumn to prevent spores from overwintering. Apply a copper based fungicide in early spring if the problem persists.

  2. Chestnut blight

    Possible

    How to tell: Spots on leaves may accompany orange, crusty cankers on the branches.

    What to do: Prune out infected branches at least 6 inches below the visible canker. Sterilize your pruning tools with alcohol between every cut to stop the spread.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sweet chestnut

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Small spots are usually cosmetic, but if you see cankers on the trunk or main branches, it is a serious sign of blight.

Stopping it coming back

Provide plenty of space between trees for air circulation and keep the area under the canopy clean.

Sweet chestnut: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sweet chestnut and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Are these spots harmful to the tree?
Most leaf spots are minor and won't kill the tree. However, they can weaken the tree if they cause premature leaf drop.
Should I spray the whole tree?
Only if the infection is severe. Good sanitation and pruning are usually more effective than chemical sprays.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Sweet chestnut

Back to the Sweet chestnut guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.