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Anthracnose in Trees
(Apiognomonia spp. and Discula spp.)
Anthracnose (Leaf Blight) is a fungus that winters on twig tissue on the tree.  In the spring, spores are transported to new buds and shoots. The disease is enhanced by cool, wet conditions. Infected leaves develop tan to reddish brown lesions that extend along the veins of the leaf (see image). Considerable defoliation, sometimes with complete leaf loss, occurs on many trees by late spring in cool wet years.  Different species of Anthracnose impact a variety of tree species.  Sycamores are particularly susceptible to repeated defoliations by anthracnose.

PHOTOS: Sycamore infected with Anthracnose. Bottom photo from Nebraska Forest Service  www.nfs.unl.edu

WHAT TO DO:
WHEN TO DO IT:
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

Arborjet recommends a trunk micro-infusion with PHOSPHO-jet, a systemic fungicide.  QualiPro (Propiconazole 14.3%) is also labeled for use against anthracnose.  MIN-jet Copper or MIN-jet Iron are micro-elements formulated to help trees re-foliate.  Select the Tree I.V. system using the Arborplug Technology.

Generally, the best seasons for micro-infusion are fall and spring. Uptake occurs when trees are transpiring. The environmental conditions that favor uptake are moderate temperatures, adequate soil moisture, and high humidity.  Soil temperature should be above 40 degrees for micro-infusion™.  Tree health will influence uptake time.  Generally, hot weather or dry soil conditions will result in a reduced rate of uptake.  If treating trees in the summer, micro-infuse in the morning for the quickest uptake. A dying tree is a poor candidate for treatment.  It is the responsibility of the arborist or tree custodian to assess tree health and its potential for recovery before undertaking treatment. 

Apply PHOSPHO-jet in the fall as a pro-active treatment.  Alternatively, inject post-defoliation with the MIN-jet Copper or MIN-jet Iron to aid tree recovery.

Trees may still defoliate despite our best efforts. However, we recommend treatments that enhance tree health.  Our research is demonstrating that infected trees micro-infused with MIN-jet Copper or MIN-jet Iron will re-foliate more effectively than trees treated with a systemic fungicide alone.  Our research has also demonstrated that anthracnose infected trees injected with these micro-element formulations exhibit more rapid wound closure than trees injected with a systemic fungicide alone.  This is what we term an enhanced Plant Health or elicitor-type response.