Anthracnose Disease Description:     

Anthracnose is a common and destructive group of fungal pathogens that attack various shade trees. 

Hosts:

Ash (Fraxinum spp.); maple (Acer spp.); oak (Quercus spp.); sycamore (Platanus spp.); dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Biology & Symptoms:   

Extended periods of cool, wet weather exacerbate and make anthracnose difficult to control with foliar fungicide applications. Generally, the fungus overwinters in infected, dead leaves lying on the ground. On sycamore, the pathogen also overwinters in infected buds, twigs, and cankers. During cool, wet springs, minute blister-like swellings form on infected tissues. These swellings release thousands of spores disseminating via wind, to infect new leaves. Brown necrotic tissue develops along leaf veins, which leads to premature leaf drop. Depending on the severity of the disease, there are varying amounts of leaf drop each season. 

Ash Tree Anthracnose Symptoms

  • Irregularly shaped, brown areas along veins on new leaves
  • In late summer/early fall severe infection can cause premature leaf drop

Maple Tree Anthracnose Symptoms

  • Brown lesions appear at leaf veins and extend inward

Oak Tree Anthracnose Symptoms

  • White oaks are severely affected when new leaves are extending and there are prolonged periods of cool, moist weather
  • On the lower branches, leaves have large dead areas between leaf veins
  • The following spring, twig, and branch dieback may be evident

See More Articles

Pest And Disease Algal Leaf Spot Banner 1440X500
Spotting on Leaf

Algal Leaf Spot Of Magnolia

Raised, wavy, cushion-like spots are symptoms of algal leaf spot, also known as green scurf. The spots are greenish, pinkish or grayish and less than 1 cm. in diameter. They may encircle a twig, creating a girdling canker.
Read More
Pest And Disease Aphids Banner 1440X500
Mold or Fungus

Aphids

Aphids, sometimes called plant lice, are soft-bodied, sucking insects. They tend to cluster in large colonies on new growth and come in a variety of species that may be green, black, red, orange, wooly, spotted or bow-legged.
Read More
DSC 8019
DSC 8019

Get In Touch With Us!

We pride ourselves at Davey Tree on providing prompt, professional and personalized service from certified arborists that live, work and engage in your community. Contact one of our Davey Tree specialists for your residential needs.

Let's Find What
You're Looking For!