My potted baby fig trees and 3 in-ground Celeste trees have rust. I read that fig rust in Fall causes early dormancy and they are losing leaves from the bottom up. The daytime temps are still running 65- 80's and they look wet every morning from the night fog.  Is there much harm from them going dormant so early?
  Thanks for any info

Thanks Soni for posting this. I have the same problem.

Very common problem in NW Florida, that is the defoliation of in ground Celeste trees. Although the tree loses it's leaves it is not in dormancy. I have several in ground trees that do this each year. After the leaf loss the trees will again put out new green growth which will be killed later with the first freeze/frost. It's going on right now.

Ditto that in South LA.  


I always presumed rust was just the way it is around here, but the 1 and 2 yr potted plants from cuttings in a different part of the yard have yet to rust, but the whole frankenfig is defoliated, with some new growth. 

I think that clearing away the fallen leaves may actually pay dividends next year, I've never done that before, despite the general consensus in favor.  I just figured the fungus is ubiquitous, what's the point?  Plus I'm lazy.

The question may be, does rust appear on weakened leaves or does rust cause weakened leaves.  This time of the year, down here, the leaves all look sick.  I think it is a "pre-dormancy" thing.

Most (not all) of mine are doing the same. 

It's somewhat troubling but you've got to figure there is not a great deal of photosynthesis lost in these weather conditions. 

The black walnut trees around me have already lost their leaves and they do fine. 

However, if they push out new growth which later freezes, that could weaken the tree over time. 

I think this is true. For example my fig, leaves with rust fallen earlier.

  18 X 2014 r.