Anthracnose in Alabama: Identifying and Addressing Tree Diseases with Ace Tree Services
Anthracnose is a group of fungal diseases that can wreak havoc on various tree species in the Birmingham and Huntsville regions of Alabama.
Ace Tree Services is here to help you understand this widespread issue, recognize the signs of infection, and provide effective solutions for maintaining the health of your trees.
What is Anthracnose?
Anthracnose diseases cause dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of affected trees. In Alabama, dogwood, sycamore, ash, and maple trees are particularly susceptible to these fungal infections. The symptoms of anthracnose can vary depending on the host plant, weather conditions, and the stage of infection.
Cool weather (with average daily temperatures of 50° to 55° F) during leaf bud break and emergence significantly favors disease development. However, temperature is the most crucial factor in determining the severity of anthracnose. If daily temperatures average above 60° F during bud break, the disease is typically less severe.
How Does Anthracnose Affect Trees?
Anthracnose infections can cause various symptoms in trees. Leaves may develop tan, brown, black, or tar-like spots, with some leaves becoming curled or distorted if infected while young. Mature leaves are generally resistant to infection, but under favorable conditions, spotty lesions can still occur. Heavily infected leaves may fall prematurely, and in severe cases, trees can become completely defoliated.
Anthracnose can also attack and kill twigs and branches, leading to the development of cankers—sunken, infected areas with swollen edges—on twigs, branches, and even the trunk. This can result in girdling and dieback, causing branches to take on a gnarled or crooked appearance.
How Ace Tree Services Can Help
Ace Tree Services offers comprehensive solutions to address anthracnose infections in your Alabama trees:
Pruning: Our team will carefully prune out and remove dead branches and twigs, reducing the spread of the disease and promoting healthy growth.
Leaf Management: We'll rake and dispose of fallen leaves around susceptible trees with low-hanging branches, minimizing the risk of reinfection.
Fungicide Applications: If necessary, our experts can apply fungicides to protect valuable specimen trees. Spraying should begin at bud break and be repeated on a weekly or biweekly schedule until the weather warms (with daily temperatures averaging above 60°F).
Trust Ace Tree Services for professional guidance and effective strategies to protect your trees from anthracnose infections in the Birmingham and Huntsville areas. Our team is committed to preserving the health and beauty of your trees, ensuring a thriving and disease-free landscape for you to enjoy. Call an ISA certified arborist from Ace Tree Service at (205) 332-7757!
