Powdery mildew disease will not kill your tree. The following spring, they produce a second kind of spore that causes more infection. Expanding sycamore shoots and leaves may quickly develop disease symptoms and die. Extended periods of cold spring weather slow growth of the sycamore tree. The domina… It can kill American sycamore, although it does only minor damage to other varieties. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. While the sycamore lace bug’s damage is rarely serious, a heavy infestation can slow the tree’s growth. Anthracnose (Leaf & Twig Blight): Anthracnose is the most serious disease of American sycamore, but generally causes only minor damage to the London plane tree. The most dangerous of the diseases of sycamore trees is anthracnose, also called leaf and twig blight. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. As always, the first line of defense against pest problems is to follow recommended cultural practices in order to maintain healthy plants. The American sycamore is a favored food plant of the pest sycamore leaf beetle. Sycamore is a massive tree reaching 75 to 90 feet in height, has a rapid growth rate, and tolerates wet and compacted soil. This disease can kill twig tips, expanding to buds, new shoots, and leaves. Both of these trees are well adapted to all areas of the state; however, they are susceptible to some diseases and insect pests. Pyramidal in youth, it develops a spreading rounded or irregular crown with age, supported by a few very large diameter branches. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Unless infected by disease, sycamores are usually long-lived trees. Characteristic symptoms of BLS in sycamore include irregularly shaped areas of scorch (dry and brown tissue) on leaf margins and between leaf veins. Sycamore anthracnose is favored by cool, wet weather (temperatures under 60 F) during budbreak and the few weeks of growth that follow. However, even well placed, irrigated, and fertilized sycamore trees can get some pests and diseases. If you know the name of the tree pest or disease affecting your trees, see the Forestry Commission guidance giving detailed information on specific tree pests or diseasesknown to be present in the UK. However, some fungi aggressively attack trees and cause cankers. *Note: Powdery mildew fungi can develop resistance to these fungicides if they are applied exclusively. X. fastidiosa from elm does not infect sycamore or vice versa. These can range from sycamore tree pests to sycamore tree diseases. The nymphs are wingless, darker than the adults and covered with spines. This disease is common on plants growing in shady areas with high humidity. Trees with extensive dieback should be removed and replaced with non-susceptible trees. You can also find out about those that pose a potential risk to the UK but are not present yet. Sycamore Lace Bug: Sycamore lace bug (Corythucha ciliata) gets its name from the lacy pattern seen on the adult’s wings, head, and thorax (chest region). of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson UniversityClyde S. Gorsuch, PhD, Emeritus Faculty, Entomology, Clemson University, Joey Williamson, PhD, HGIC Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University. caused by the fungus Apiognomonia veneta. Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that gets into the tree through the roots. Signs and Symptoms of Sycamore Anthracnose What to look for during sycamore tree pruning. However, it is not impervious to disease. Both adults and nymphs feed on the undersides of leaves. Sycamore anthracnose is one of the most common diseases that commonly affect California sycamore trees. All of this results in the very bare-looking sycamore trees that Michigan residents have noticed. Oftentimes, there will be a band of reddish color between the scorched portion of the leaf and the rest of the leaf. Mature Height/Spread: Sycamore is a massive tree that grows 70 to 100 feet tall with a similar spread. American sycamore is susceptible to plane anthracnose disease (Apiognomonia veneta, syn. Rhytisma acerinum can occur in many tree species, with the most commonly affected genus being Acer. Spores from the fungus can be spread by rain and wind. The fungus survives the winter on fallen leaves and twigs as well as on cankers present on twigs that remain on the tree. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. A single attack seldom causes harm but if the tree is infected several years in succession it will weaken a tree, making it susceptible to borer attack and winter injury. These structures are for surviving the winter. The disease first affects older leaves on a branch, before moving to newer leaves and eventually killing the entire branch. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems these sturdy shade trees face. Each year we receive a number of calls from people concerned that sycamores appear to be dying. Providing irrigation, mulch and fertilizer to an infected tree can extend the life of the tree. The adult female lays eggs on the leaf’s undersurface, attaching them with a brown sticky material. Contact us today for information on pruning or any of our other sycamore tree care services. Another common disease of sycamore trees is powdery mildew fungus. You’ll find that there are quite a few diseases of sycamore trees. Symptoms tend to begin with older leaves on a branch and then develop in younger leaves. In the warmer parts of the year, you’ll need to water your sycamore at least twice a week. The fungus spreads from infected to healthy trees as spores carried by the wind or rain. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. They have piercing/sucking mouthparts that they use to remove sap from the leaves. Sign up for our newsletter. When a small twig or branch is affected, cankers may girdle and eventually kill the branch. To limit the number of spores that are present to start new infections, remove and destroy fallen leaves and twigs. For valuable trees, certified arborists can perform root flare injections using thiabendazole (Arbortect Macro-Infusion Fungicide), which may aid in tree protection for three years. Sycamore trees are vulnerable to diseases and insect pests, just like almost every variety of tree you can plant. The adult is small, 1/8 inch in length and brown to black in color. Prevention & Treatment: Apply adequate fertilizer and water to maintain the vigor of the tree(s) as per recommendations in HGIC 1000, Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs. Pruning infected branches can slow its spread. Infected leaves become distorted, and may turn yellow and drop. It is caused by the fungus Apiognomonia venata (asexual stage – Discula platani). Sycamore Anthracnose (fungus – Gnomonia plantani): Sometimes called blight and scorch. This disease may appear as four distinct phases: Sycamore anthracnose symptoms on leaves and twigs.Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org, Sycamore anthracnose symptoms on leaf.Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org. Keep an eye on your tree leaves and wash off bugs with the hose. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! With time, symptoms may appear on other branches of the tree. There are several damaging diseases and pests that affect sycamore trees. Believed to be native to the United States, it is found throughout the range of sycamores. The sycamore tree is among the more resilient species found in North America. Around the feeding sites, the leaf tissue turns yellow. Since little serious damage results from lace bug infestation of sycamore trees, tolerating some damage is a good choice. This is most common in trees growing in full shade near water. Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJanet McLeod Scott, Former Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJames H. Blake, EdD, Extension Associate/Adjunct Professor, Dept. Look for patches of powdery white matter on sycamore leaves or branches, an indication that your sycamore has powdery mildew disease. The disease stunts new growth as well. Identifying the Disease. The symptom you see most frequently is crinkling and browning of the leaves. Bacterial Leaf Scorch: Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) is a problem on several species of shade trees, including American sycamore and London planetree, oaks, maples, sweetgum, dogwood and American elm. Insecticides and Fungicides for Sycamore Insect Pest and Disease Control. The sycamore tree is prone to sooty bark (cryptostroma corticale). Over several years, entire branches may die. Prevent Sycamore Tree Diseases & Pests. These yellow flecks are visible from the leaf’s upper surface. Typically, young shoots and leaves are more severely affected than old parts of a tree. These symptoms are generally evident in late summer/early fall. The sycamore is a massive tree, unsuitable for most home landscapes. Many ornamentals and weeds are hosts to this organism, but show no disease symptoms. They become active in the spring at about the same time as leaves begin to develop. It is often impractical to spray large trees. Initially, leaves on only one or a few branches may be affected. The American Sycamore is the tree most usually planted when you want to grow a Sycamore tree. ‘Bloodgood,’ ‘Columbia’ and ‘Liberty’ (London plane tree cultivars) are moderately resistant to anthracnose. The death of a branch will often result in the production of many small shoots in the area just below the girdled portion of the branch, giving that part of the tree a bushy appearance that is referred to as “witch’s broom”. Throughout Iowa, the major disadvantage of sycamore as a landscape tree is the fungal disease, anthracnose. The fungi overwinter in dead twigs and fallen leaves. For small trees, spring applications of chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl or copper fungicides may protect the tree from the disease. The resulting tree decline may require removal of the infected tree. Canker stain: London plane and sycamore trees have sparse foliage, small leaves, and elongated sunken cankers on the trunk and larger branches. To control sycamore lace bugs, it is important to inspect leaves every week for signs of the insect. Experts advise that you keep your tree healthy, with good cultural practices, as a first line of defense against problems with sycamore trees. Ornamental Features: Sycamores are valued for their massive size and are often used as shade trees. It may also be affected by horse chestnut scale insect, which appears as fluffy white spots on the trunk and branches during the summer. However, it is possible that you experience problems with sycamore trees. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterial pathogen (disease-causing organism) with a wide host range. Its most recognizable feature is its bark that peels away as the trunk expands, revealing the white, tan, and green inner bark. Sycamore is susceptible to sooty bark, which can lead to wilting of the crown and death of the tree, as well as a variety of other fungal diseases. One of the most common sycamore tree pests is the sycamore lace bug that gets its name from the lacy pattern on the adult’s wings, head, and chest. Cool, rainy weather creates perfect conditions for the spores to spread. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 2011 | Updated: Jan 10, 2020 | Print | Download (PDF). The spores can spread by the wind and rain. Often confused with frost damage, signs of … These branches should be spaced two to four feet apart along the trunk to develop a strong structure. If you give your trees sufficient water and fertilizer, you are unlikely to see this sycamore tree disease. Copyright © 2020 Clemson UniversityClemson Cooperative Extension | 103 Barre Hall Clemson, SC 29634864-986-4310 | Contact UsHGIC@clemson.edu, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Centipedegrass Yearly Maintenance Program, Bonide Systemic Insect Control Concentrate, Hi-Yield Vegetable, Flower, Fruit & Ornamental Fungicide Concentrate, Camelot O Fungicide/Bactericide Concentrate (1.8%), Ferti-lome Horticulture Spray Concentrate, Bayer BioAdvanced Garden Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula Concentrate (drench), Spectracide Immunox Multi-Purpose Fungicide Concentrate (also in RTS, Cleary’s 3336 Turf & Ornamental Fungicide. This tree is especially tough and very suitable for a shade tree or screen. Affected leaves may curl upward, but often remain on the tree. Where the weather has been continuously hot, sooty bark will cause partial or total crown wilting which can eventually be fatal. Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org, Xylella And Oaks: What Causes Oak Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Sycamore Tree Care: How To Grow A Sycamore Tree, Diseases Of Pumpkins: Learn About Pumpkin Diseases And Treatments, Seniors And Houseplants: Indoor Senior Gardening Ideas, Mason Jar Snow Globe Ideas – Creating Snow Globe From Jars, Gardening Questions And Answers – Our Top 2020 Gardening Topics, Container Grown Viburnums: Caring For Potted Viburnum Shrubs, Growing Dahlberg Daisies – How To Care For Dahlberg Daisy, Rose Of Sharon Winter Care: Preparing Rose Of Sharon For Winter, Yellowing Oleander Bushes: Reasons For Oleander Leaves Turning Yellow, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. The white bark peels off in patches and is the most ornamental trait. Sycamore decline typically appears as foliar necrosis and branch dieback in tree crowns throughout a plantation . Currently, spray treatments are not available. This bacterium lives in the host plant’s xylem (water-carrying tubes). Sycamore anthracnose is a disfiguring disease of sycamore and plane trees (Platanus sp.) Anthracnose is seldom fatal, but results in leaf, bud, and small twig death. Sycamore trees don’t like getting dry, and if you don’t water the tree enough, it stunts the growth. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. The extent and severity of the disease varies with the spring weather; the cooler and wetter springs usually are associated with greater problems with anthracnose. Anthracnose can usually be prevented by taking good care of the tree and making sure it has enough water and fertilizer. This disease can kill twig tips, expanding to buds, new shoots, and leaves. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. If the tree is small enough, spraying with a strong stream of water can control a light infestation. Read on for information on sycamore tree problems. Trees that don’t get enough water also become susceptible to pest infestations and diseases. If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. Rhytisma acerinum is the teleomorph of tar spot. Read and follow all directions on the label. In addition, prune out and destroy diseased branches. It can be very difficult to treat, but it doesn’t typically kill mature, established trees. This tree disease will occur on well-established plantings and those already under stress. See the information on this disease in the "Common Plant Diseases" section. Sycamore trees are highly susceptible to a fungal disease called anthracnose. 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