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Disease Descriptions
Many cultural methods such as pruning and sanitation practices will help in keeping disease organisms out of your plantings. See basic cultural guidelines for the control of plant diseases under Pest Management.
The more common diseases of elderberry are cankers, leaf spots, and powdery mildews.
Cankers
Cankers on twigs and branches can be caused by any of a number of fungi. The cankers may girdle the entire branch, causing it to die.
Leaf Spots
Many fungi can cause leaf spots. They usually are not important enough to warrant control measures.
Powdery Mildews
Four species of powdery mildew fungi affect elderberry by producing the typical white coating of the leaves.
Other Diseases
Elderberry also is susceptible to thread blight, root rots, and verticillium wilt.