I wish I'd taken pictures! I was so freaked out by the possibility of contagion that I threw the diseased leaves away. Previously, some of the lemon tree leaves had yellowed due to changing light conditions, and that looked totally different. When it was light-related, the entire leaf turned sort of a pale shade of green/yellow. This discoloration was more like... more light brown then yellow. And instead of the entire leaf turning a pale color, it was more like a part of the leaf had turned a strange "dead-looking" shade of light brown. I'm hoping it doesn't return, but just in case it does, I'll take a picture and post it. Any ideas on what that brown/black spots on the bay leaf could be?

I'd like to add that it's foliage diseases in general, not just Early Blight ( A. solani) and hornworms are a problem for some folks but not everyone, and they can be controlled. A fairly common problem is Colorado Potato Beetles and they too can be controlled. And occaionally some Verticillium, a systemic fungal disease, but rarely Fusarium, another systemic fungal disease. And of course cutworms, but they can be a problem almost anywhere. I'm about 45 min from Williamstown, MA so I don't know how far that is from you, western MA being colder and more rigorous that Easterm MA. If you have specific questions about what's most common in any given season your closest Extension Office should be able to help. Carolyn

So about 100 miles East of San Franciso in northern CA and not near the coast. Good fertile soil or Delmonte wouldn't be there. Summers dry and hot, winters cool and rainy. If you lived nearer the coast you could have problems with the fog and what's called the June Glooms, in particular, which can lead to both types of Powdery Mildew which affects the foliage. You have little problems with the common foliage diseases b'c it so dry most of the time. The major problem would be some of the systemic diseases such as Fusarium, Verticillium , etc., and possibly Root Knot Nematodes. Because the soilborne systemic diseases can be so different in different parts of CA I'm going to suggest that you call your local Cooperative Extension and ask them what specific soilborne diseases are likely to be encountered. And be sure to ask about Fusarium and what specific races, there are three, that can be found there. Also, be sure to ask about Root Knot Nematodes and also if there is any Bacterial Canker there or Late Blight ( P. infestans). Modesto is a large city so there should be plenty of nurseries there that sell plants if you aren't going to raise your own plants from seed. The timing of when you put out plants, either inground or in containers is also important, so ask about that. I would imagine that plants need to be set out as early as possible in the early Spring so that fruits can set before the high heat of summer. High heat with sustained temps over about 90-95 F can destroy pollen leading to loss of pollen viability and blossom drop. Some in your area might do two crops a year, a Spring Crop where you'd grow interdeterminate varieties and midseason varieties and a seond Fall crop where you'd grow short and mid season varieties. You should be able to grow any varieties you want to. I know a few folks who live inland from San Francisco and they do and they would be to your East, not as far inland as you are. Hope that helps. Carolyn, who notes....ahem, very different from Massachusetts as well I know since I'm in upstate NY on the VT border and can be in Western, Mass in about 45 min.

I see nothing wrong with your tree that would require any treatment. There are some blemishes on the leaves but that looks more physiological than any sort of disease or insect problem. There might have been some early aphid activity but don't see any sign of them now - aphids often attract ants. Regardless of the cause, the tree will be fine. FYI, the Bonide sulphur spray is intended to be used as a fungicide. It will have no affect on any insect problems, should they arise. Any apples the tree produces should be fine. You do have a pollination partner for it?