Sycamore Anthracnose

Sycamore Anthracnose causes unsightly growth patterns in the tree and it causes the tree to drop leaves prematurely.

Sycamore Anthracnose (SA) is a disease caused by the fungus Apiognomonia veneta. While SA does not typically kill its host, it will leave a tree stressed and more susceptible to other issues. Click here to read our Sycamore Anthracnose frequently asked questions.

Affected Plants:

American sycamores are the most common victim of SA.

Identification:

Symptoms of SA typically begin to show in the spring and is often mistaken for frost damage. New leaves will crinkle and turn brown and eventually fall off. Older leaves will develop dark and sunken areas surrounding the veins which will eventually spread throughout the entire leaf. Often times cankers will form on twigs and older branches which in severe cases can lead to the death of the branch.

Life Cycle:

The SA fungus spends the winters within diseased leaves and in existing cankers. Spores are produced in spring and they are spread by rain. The disease germinates most effectively during times of more temperate weather when the mean temperature is between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the mean temperature exceeds 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the tree will be able to recover and grow a new set of leaves.

If Left Untreated:

SA itself will not typically kill its host tree, however it can cause significant damage to a tree that is left untreated. That being said, a tree that has become infected with SA may appear dead, however over time new leaves will grow and the tree will recover.

The infection will not go away on its own!

Treatment Procedure:

SA is treated by a fungicide injection which is done in August and the treatment lasts for two years. After the second year the trees will be reassessed to determine whether another round of treatment is necessary.