Deformed Leaves on Shrubs

Question: This spring as our shrubs were budding out, the leaves of many of them came out deformed or not at all. Some of them have recovered and new growth is mostly normal. Now, some of the shrubs that had normal leaves to start are beginning to get ones that are deformed. Our nursery thought it might be herbicide damage, but we didn’t use any. We gave the deformed ones a dose of fertilizer in April, but have applied nothing but water since. The first two photos are of the earlier deformities, the last is of what just started to happen. I didn’t take a photo, but we have a mature Russian Sage that we cut back last fall. It came back beautifully, but since yesterday, new growth is showing signs of the same deformity. What is happening? Thank you for any help you can offer.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 22, 2024, 11:03 AM EDT
response: It looks like herbicide damage to me too. How are weeds managed in the rock area where the trees are? If something is used there, it could affect the trees and shrubs in the area.  Here is some information on herbicide damage:  Herbicide Injury (Utah State Univ.)

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 7:20 PM EDT
response: Hi:  Thank you for your response. There must be another explanation. We don't use herbicides. I considered whether herbicides may have gotten into our irrigation water, but the damage to the plants is inconsistent. There are damaged plants right next to healthy plants. And the leaves sprouted before the water was turned on.  I also considered a spring weather event that may have stunted the leaf growth. However, I would expect new growth to be free of damage. That is true in some cases, but not all. On some shrubs, the initial growth was normal and new growth is showing signs of problems. On one rose bush, some new growth appears perfectly healthy and some is stunted.  The issue is what it is. Despite the damage, most of the plants appear to be hanging on. However, I would love to know what is causing the problem so we can correct it or avoid it in the future. (if either is possible)  Thank you so much,  Anne   On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 9:03 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 25, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT
response: Herbicides can drift for more than a mile in the air, so the herbicide doesn't necessarily have to be from your property. Herbicides like 2-4D can volatilize and turn to vapor in hot weather (over 80 degrees) and can drift. Particles from spraying can also drift in wind. Some plants may be more or less susceptible to damage from herbicides or some may have not gotten as much exposure. If something was sprayed earlier in the season, that could cause the deformity then and if you are seeing it again now, something may have been sprayed again and is impacting your plants once again.  Aphids and some diseases can also distort foliage, but when we see similar damage across a variety of different plants, it is likely that there is an environmental condition affecting the plants.  The best thing to do is to make sure the plants are receiving adequate water. Trees and shrubs do best with less frequent, but deep watering.  If you'd like to bring in plant samples to the help desk so we can take a closer look, please feel free to do so. We are located within the Mesa County Fairgrounds and are open from 8am-5pm.  Let staff or the volunteer know that your contact number is #757.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 29, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
response: Good morning:  Thank you again for your response. Is there a horticulturist on your staff or in the valley you could recommend who I could have come to my yard to take a look at what is going on? I am happy to pay for the service. I now have a zucchini plant that is starting to show some of the same signs as the shrubs, but there don't seem to be any other plant issues in our vegetable garden other than some powdery mildew. We have a half-acre lot, and the plants that are affected are spread throughout our property. I would love to have someone to come look at what we have and help identify the source of the problem. I would expect that if we were having issues with airborne herbicides that our neighbors would be as well, but I'm not noticing any other plant issues in our subdivision. This is so frustrating!  Thank you again for any help you can offer.  Anne     On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 9:00 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 30, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT
response: I followed up with you by email to arrange a site visit.