The Benefit of Fall Treatments: Anthracnose
Now that the dog days of summer are through, it’s time to get out there and apply fall treatments to protect your clients’ trees into the spring! Although there are a multitude of issues that could be affecting trees currently, one condition you are likely to be called upon to treat is anthracnose. Here’s what you need to know:
What is Anthracnose?
Anthracnose (leaf blight) is a fungus that winters on twig tissue, causing leaf spots, considerable defoliation, and sometimes complete leaf loss. In cool, wet climates, the disease is enhanced and fungal spores are more likely to spread. Different species of anthracnose impact a variety of tree species, including oak, ash, maple, elm, hickory, walnut, birch, linden, sycamore and dogwood. Sycamore, white oak and dogwood are particularly susceptible.
What Are the Signs of Infection?
The primary signs to look out for are tan to red-brown lesions that extend along the veins and edges of the leaf. Of course, you should also be aware of defoliation and complete leaf loss.
Why Fall Treatment is Important
Not only do fall treatments provide preemptive spring protection, they also free up your busy spring schedule, allowing you to be as efficient and productive as possible when things are back in full swing!
When treating for anthracnose, a fall application of either Propizol or PHOSPHO-jet is recommended. Applying Propizol in the fall slows the spread of infection the following spring and helps the tree to foliate more normally. Propizol will have more direct and aggressive activity against the fungus itself, and is recommended if infection is chronic or particularly severe.
PHOSPHO-jet may also be applied following leaf coloration. It inhibits fungal cells while eliciting a plant health response from the tree; promoting stronger, healthier tree cells, enhancing root development, and triggering the tree’s natural defense mechanisms to make it more resistant to infection and better able to recover.
Arborists, if you have further questions, please contact an Arborjet technical manager in your area today. Now is the time to consider treatment and to let your customers know that you have the solution!
