Anthracnose Disease of Bay Area Trees: Damaging leaves, stems and branches of susceptible trees.
We treat for anthracnose, a fungal disease affecting leaves and stems, using systemic and topical anti-fungal compounds applied to the tree foliage, and sometimes directly injected into the trunk of the tree (this will translocate the fungicide into the leaves and stems)
Anthracnose primarily affects Ash, Elm, Oak, Dogwood, and Sycamore in the Bay Area and in many cases can be treated, especially when it affects leaves. Damage to woody tissue can not be reversed.
Anthracnose symptoms vary by plant species. Changes in weather conditions, and the time of year also play a role in anthracnose leaf and stem infections. The disease attacks new shoots and young leaves. Small brown or black spots form on infected leaves of elm and oaks. Irregular dead spots on leaves form on the leaves of Modesto ash. Sycamores have damage to major leaf veins. Young leaves can become curled and distorted yet remain partially green.
Anthracnose can kill or damage twigs and branches. Cankers (wounds) can develop on twigs, branches, and the trunk. The resulting new growth can give branches a gnarled or crooked form. Anthracnose won’t seriously harm plants unless heavy infection occurs year after year. In California, anthracnose most severely damages Chinese elm trees, which can develop large cankers.
Contact Us for more information on how Smith’s can treat your trees. If Modesto ash is dropping leaves in the spring, or your Chinese elm trunk is splitting & cracking, we can provide you with an arborist consultation and treatment plan.