My Yellow Bells Have Orange Spots In The Tree Bark, What Should I Do?

Question

After the very cold storm that we had in Houston this year we cut down most of the yellow bells branches that seem to have damage. They are still not showing signs of flowers or new buds, but now we notice some small orange spots in the tree bark. Is it rust? What should we do?

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Answer 1

You may have lost the plant, which is freeze sensitive. Rust is normally on the leaves and has smaller dots, so I don't think it is rust. The pattern looks like scale, but seems too large to be scale. There is a disease called nectria canker that has orange fruiting bodies. Here is info about it below. You may want to contact your local extension agent who can probably help.

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/2009/jun09/Esperanza.html

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/cankers/nectria-canker-and-dieback.aspx

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/coral-spot-fungus-information.htm

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/coral-spot-nectria-canker

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search