What are these strangely deformed leaves? (pictures attached)

Question

This orange tree is a little over 15 years old or so. It is very fruitful; producing over 1000 oranges every year. In the past month or two I have noticed some strange leaf growths and deformations. Some of the leaves have holes in them and others appear crinkled.

I live in southeast Texas. Texas summers are notorious for being dry and hot. This is the first summer that I've ever noticed this type of leaf deformation. The current climate is EXTREMELY hot, humid, and sunny. Temperatures can reach up to 104 degrees during the day. It has rained about 5-6 times in the past month. When it isn't raining, we water the orange tree regularly. The tree stands alone, and is not shaded by any buildings or other trees.

Here are some pictures of the leaves:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/diatomicjeans/DSC07125.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/diatomicjeans/DSC07126.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/diatomicjeans/DSC07128.jpg

My questions are:

What is causing it?

Is this a parasite, insect, or disease of some sort?

Will it hurt the tree or affect the oranges?

If possible, how can it be prevented.

Thank you all very much! :)

Answer 1

Since it's an orange tree, it might have citrus canker. Citrus canker is a disease affecting citrus species that is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis. Infection causes lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit of citrus trees, including lime, oranges, and grapefruit. While not harmful to humans, canker significantly affects the vitality of citrus trees, causing leaves and fruit to drop prematurely; a fruit infected with canker is safe to eat but too unsightly to be sold.

Looks like:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/image...

Or it might be due to caterpillars eating the leaves - who knows...

Answer 2

I don't remember the cause of it exactly, but it's some sort of plant disease. I've seen trees completely consumed by it, and it will destroy the trees. If they are your trees, I suggest you contact your local nurseries for help in treating it.

Answer 3

It might be bugs...  

Answer 4

Can be a caterpillar .. spray insecticides

Answer 5

leaf miners.  insecticide

Answer 6

Looks like a tree fungus or some type of disease. you could take these pics to a gardening store or anywhere like home depot and they could help you out.

Answer 7

what is causing it is bugs and not enough water or nutrients. if it is bug that means where it is eating the plant, it is not allowing the water and nutrients get to where they r needed to go.

Answer 8

It looks to me like insect damage from a leaf miner (the larval insect is inside the leaf where it's hidden from predators and it eats its way through the leaf tissue):  http://www.flickr.com/photos/selago/3430...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mausboam/25...

Once the outer edge of the leaf is cut off from its supply of food and water, it dies.  This weakens the tree, since there will be fewer leaves for photosynthesis, and if it happens repeatedly, the tree may be weakened to the point that it dies.  The best way to prevent this is through the control of the adult insects, and destroying any leaves with signs of the larval before they metamorphose into breeding adults.  If you have an agricultural extension office or college/university with a plant science/botany/agriculture department in your area, that could probably help you with more specifics.