What is Anthracnose?
Anthracnose is a disease in plants caused by infection with fungi. Depending on the plant and the fungal species involved, a variety of symptoms can appear, including damage to the flowers, leaves, and branches. People sometimes refer to anthracnose infection as “blight” because the infected plants tend to look blighted and stunted. There are a variety of techniques which can be used to control and prevent anthracnose in plants, trees, and shrubs. As a general rule, this infection occurs in warm, humid climates, usually during the spring, when the plant is developing. The fungus attacks the growing buds and shoots of the trees, causing them to start to brown or blacken. If the plant is small or not very hardy, it may begin to wither and droop as the damage spreads. An especially virulent version, dogwood anthracnose, can occur in cooler climates as well. Fungi in a number of genera including Stegophora, Colletotrochium, Gloeosporium, Discula, and Apiognomonia can cause anthracnose infe
Anthracnose is a fungal disease common throughout Utah on Maple, Sycamore, Oak and Ash. Although in most years it does not cause significant damage, it can be very destructive during years when extended cool wet spring conditions occur. Consecutive years with conditions conducive to disease can seriously weaken trees and may cause death if the conditions persist and control measures are not implemented. Causal Organisms The group of fungi that cause anthracnose produce spore bearing structures called acervuli. The acervuli erupt through the plant tissue and are evident as small black dots on twigs. The fungi that cause anthracnose are Kabatiella apocrypta in Maple, Apiognomonia veneta in Sycamore, A. quercina in Oak and A. errabunda in Ash. Symptoms The first symptoms occur on leaves as small water soaked lesions. They are usually found along main veins of leaves, but can also occur between the veins. The spots enlarge and eventually turn tan, reddish-brown or black, depending on the s
