Hail
Impact from hail can tatter leaves, cause sunken scars on the outer and upper surfaces of fruit and twigs, and increase plant susceptibility to wound-related maladies.
Identification
Hail damage is rarely seen in California landscapes. It can be easy to diagnose hail as the cause of injury when the storm event is reported in the news.
When hail is the cause of damage, the location of injury aids in diagnosis. After a hail storm, all exposed species at a site can show at least some injury. Hail wounds occur on the upper and outer sides of plants, especially on parts facing the direction from which storms come.
Canker diseases or excess wind can cause similar symptoms on bark or leaves. Shot hole fungus causes fruit scars resembling hail damage. However, pathogens usually affect only certain species at a site; for example, shot hole infects only Prunus spp. Hail can damage all exposed species at a site.
Damage
Hailstones usually tatter, tear, and pit leaves and scar fruit. If
hail impacts young fruit, scars can become large and distinctive
as the rind enlarges. Sometimes hail causes elliptical wounds in bark or breaks twigs. Large wounds can cause branches to develop cankers, become girdled, and die. Severe fire blight can occur in susceptible species shortly after hail damage causes wounds through which pathogens enter hosts.
Solutions
Prune out wood that is seriously damaged. Provide injured plants with proper cultural care, especially appropriate irrigation. Consult Abiotic Disorders of Landscape Plants for more information. |
Leaves tattered by hail
Scars on upper side of twig
Canker development from hail
Sunken spots on young fruit
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