Plants have been around for a long time on Planet Earth: a billion years for diseases to develop and fungi to run amok.
They’re Fungi, but They’re Not Fun to Have Around
We’ve all regretted inviting that one person over. They seemed harmless, until they trashed your yard and insulted your dog.
Anthracnose and Powdery Mildews may be Fungis, but you really shouldn’t invite them to your garden party.
If you do find an unwelcomed guest, call the trained team at Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc.
What is Anthracnose?
Anthracnose – which also goes by leaf, shoot, or twig blight – is a fungal disease.
Anthracnose may be paying your tree an extended visit if dark, charcoal-colored, sunken lesions and cankers are seen on the stems and twigs. The disease can defoliate a tree from the ground up, causing the leaves to curl, grow oddly, and appear half-dead.
It sounds scary.
Anthracnose doesn’t cause serious harm to trees unless defoliation, branch dieback, or cankering happens every year.
What is Powdery Mildew?
Powdery Mildew is a mycelium (a not-good fungal thread) that is the most recognizable disease found in the Kingdom Plantae.
Powdery Mildew sports white to grayish patches of talcum-like powdery growth. Fungal growth is commonly found on the upper sides of the leaves, but it can also spread under the leaves, and on buds and flowers!
Leaves become mostly yellow and drop. Buds may not even flower.
Know The Enemy
Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose spores are spread in the air.
Warm, wet climates are ideal conditions for the spread of these fungal pathogens. Moisture makes it easy for spores to stick to leaves.
Topical and foliar fungicide sprays, applied by a trusted ISA Certified Arborist, help prevent an affected tree from becoming unthrifty.
Best Practices
Look for fungal-resistant varieties of tree species when purchasing a new tree. If you’re looking at planting a Sycamore, be mindful that Sycamores are extremely prone, almost inherent, to Anthracnose.
Call the professionals at Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. at the first sign of Anthracnose or Powdery Mildew; they know how to handle these sticky situations!
About Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc.
Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation, education, improved health, and safety of trees. Sims THS has provided California’s Urban Forests with premium healthcare since 1972. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.simsths.com/
Sims THS offers services with our ISA Certified Arborists in the following:
Diagnosis and Disease Management, Pest Suppression, Organic Solutions, Fruit Suppression, Drought Protection, and Arborist Assessment Reports and Preservation Plans.
In addition to providing quality tree health services, the Sims family is known for their educational pursuits. In 1996, they started the Sims Tree Learning Center (TLC), a 6-acre botanical garden and research facility sponsored by Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. The facility houses multiple types of gardens, including a cactus and succulent garden and one of the largest collections of Palms in the Inland Empire. Learn with us!
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