Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for orange spores.
- Look for nearby juniper trees that might host the fungus.
- Check if the spots are spreading rapidly across the canopy.
Likely causes
Quince Rust
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see bright orange, tube like structures on the fruit or leaves. It often spreads from nearby juniper trees.
What to do: Prune away infected branches immediately and dispose of them in the trash. Apply a copper fungicide in early spring before the buds open to prevent spores from taking hold.
Leaf Spot Fungi
PossibleHow to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the foliage, sometimes with a yellow halo. These spots may grow and cause the leaf to drop early.
What to do: Clear away all fallen leaves from under the tree to remove overwintering spores. Improve airflow by thinning out crowded branches in the winter.
Find out what's wrong with your quince
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
If the spots cover more than half of the foliage or appear on the fruit, the tree is under significant stress. Minor spotting is common in humid summers.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around the base of the tree clean and ensure it gets full sun to dry leaves quickly after rain.
Quince: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your quince 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I eat fruit with spots?
- It is best to discard fruit with heavy fungal growth. If the spots are minor, you can peel the fruit and use the flesh if it looks healthy.
- Will these spots kill my tree?
- Usually no, but they can weaken the tree over time. Consistent pruning and sanitation will keep it healthy.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Quince
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.