Will the spots go away?

No, the existing spots will not disappear. Focus on preventing new spots from forming on fresh growth.

Should I cut off the spotted leaves?

You can remove heavily infected leaves to improve the look of the tree. Always sanitize your pruning shears between cuts.

American witch hazel: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the underside of the leaves for fungal spores.
Check if the spots are concentrated on the lower branches.
Look at the weather patterns over the last two weeks.

Likely causes

Phyllosticta leaf spot
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, circular brown or tan spots with darker borders on the foliage. These often appear after periods of high humidity or frequent rain.
What to do: Remove and dispose of any fallen leaves around the base of the tree to stop spores from spreading. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry. If the infection is severe, apply a copper fungicide according to the label instructions during the early spring.
Sunscald
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens when a young tree is moved suddenly into intense, direct afternoon sun. Look for bleached or scorched patches on leaves that face the brightest light.
What to do: Provide temporary shade for the tree during the hottest part of the day using a shade cloth. Gradually acclimate the plant to more sun over 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure the soil stays moist to help the tree handle the heat.

Find out what's wrong with your american witch hazel

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.

When to worry

It is rarely fatal, but you should worry if the spots cover more than half of the leaf surface and cause premature leaf drop. Minor spotting is normal in very wet summers.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around the base of the tree clean of debris and ensure good air circulation between branches.

Keep your american witch hazel healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will the spots go away?: No, the existing spots will not disappear. Focus on preventing new spots from forming on fresh growth.
Should I cut off the spotted leaves?: You can remove heavily infected leaves to improve the look of the tree. Always sanitize your pruning shears between cuts.

Why does my American witch hazel have spots on its leaves?