One More Anthranose: Maple This TIme

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In previous BYGLs this spring, we have noted the occurrence of heavy sycamore anthracnose statewide, and also of ash, beech, and oak anthracnose in southwest Ohio. This report from northeast Ohio is of one of the maple anthracnose fungal diseases. I was called out to a landscape in Doylestown Ohio where the homeowners were very concerned that “all of the leaves are fallin’” from a beloved maple tree that towers over their deck. We are all familiar with this sky-is-falling observation which in most cases turns out to be a bit overstated due to worry.

At most, probably less than 1% of the leaves have fallen and maybe 5% of the leaves showed symptoms of maple anthracnose. And the affected leaves were on the lower portion of the plant. Why on the lower leaves? Because there is poorer air movement there and the maple anthracnose fungus thrives under these conditions. Not to worry, as the temperatures rise with summer this disease is not destined to become worse and worse and in this case this disease is of minor relevance to plant health. A few more leaf sweepings are due but otherwise the deck under this maple will have its summer shade for years to come.