What's eating my mayhaw?

Mayhaw (Crataegus aestivalis) faces aphids on young shoots, cedar rust attacking leaves and fruit, hawthorn lace bug bleaching foliage, and fruit-feeding birds and insects as the berries ripen. Rust is usually the most economically damaging problem, reducing both crop yield and tree vigour in humid Southern climates.

Orange, gelatinous spore masses on leaves and young fruit in spring; infected fruit may be deformed or drop early. Apply preventive fungicide (myclobutanil or mancozeb) from pink bud through petal fall; avoid planting near cedar/juniper hosts; choose rust-resistant selections when available.

Clusters on new shoots cause leaf curl, stunted growth, and honeydew deposits that attract sooty mould. Tolerate light infestations — natural enemies usually control them; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if colonies are severe; avoid excess nitrogen fertiliser that produces lush, aphid-attractive growth.

Silvery stippling on leaf tops; black excrement spots on undersides; heavy infestations cause early defoliation. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil in late spring when nymphs first appear; repeat as needed through summer.

Berries stripped rapidly as they ripen in spring, reducing harvestable fruit. Net trees or harvest early as fruit reaches colour; berry loss is otherwise unavoidable — plant extra trees to share the crop.