Mimosa Wilt vs. Slime Flux: Fatal Disease Diagnosis in Kansas

Kansas mimosa: leaf loss limb by limb since summer start. White foam 6 weeks ago, now yellowish foam from trunk. No reported mimosa wilt in area.

Expert Diagnosis

Two fatal possibilities:

• Slime flux/wetwood: Bacterial, froth from trunk, foliage stays green
• Mimosa wilt: Fungal (Fusarium oxysporum var. perniciosum), foliage dies from root infection

Mimosa Wilt Details

• Most devastating mimosa disease; eliminated ornamentals in many areas (MD to FL, west to TX)
• Symptoms: chlorotic/wilting foliage, sapwood discoloration, death in 6 weeks
• Soil-borne, enters through roots, disrupts water/nutrient transport
• No control; water/fertilizer (10-10-10) may help if very early
• Remove and destroy to prevent spread
• Key signs: yellowing/wilting leaves (early-mid summer), leaf drop without wilting (post-midsummer), frothy trunk seepage, vascular streaking (brown discoloration)
• Death: slow (months, branch by branch) or rapid (weeks)

Conclusion

Yellowish foam + progressive leaf loss = mimosa wilt. Fatal. Remove tree.