Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose rarely kills established, healthy trees, as it is primarily a foliage disease causing leaf spots, browning, and premature drop, usually in cool, wet springs. While severe or repeated infections can cause twig dieback, stunt growth, and reduce vigor, trees typically recover by producing new leaves. 

The appearance of anthracnose varies depending on the host, but look for these common "red flags":

• Leaf Lesions: Dark, water-soaked, or tan-to-brown spots. On many trees (like Sycamore or Oak), these lesions often follow the leaf veins rather than being scattered randomly.
• Leaf Distortion: Young leaves may curl, cup, or look scorched and twisted as they expand around the infected spots.
• Sunken Cankers: On twigs and stems, you may see "scratches" or sunken areas that can cause tip dieback or "witches' brooms" (clumps of weak new growth).
• Fruit Rot: In garden crops like tomatoes or mangoes, it appears as circular, sunken "targets" that eventually rot the fruit.
• Early Defoliation: Trees may drop their leaves prematurely in late spring, though they typically grow a second set of healthy leaves by mid-summer.

Anthracnose is fueled by cool, wet spring weather.

• Pathogens: Caused by various fungi (e.g., Colletotrichum, Apiognomonia, Discula).
• Transmission: Spores overwinter in fallen leaves and twig cankers. In spring, rain and wind splash these spores onto new, tender growth.
• Host Specificity: Most anthracnose fungi are host-specific. This means the fungus on your Oak tree won't spread to your Maple, even if they are right next to each other.