My Azalea Looks Like Someone Torched It

Question

My azalea looks like someone torched it. Is this from frost? The bark is all black. The leaves on the top are still alive, but it looks like the whole thing was in a fire. My concern is. . . if it’s not from frost, will it infest other shrubs around it?

Answer 1

This sounds like sooty mold. This article will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm

It could also be leaf scorch, which is caused by the cold. This article will help with this:
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/physiologicalleafscorch.pdf