Recognize and Control Anthracnose Diseases

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that attacks a wide variety of grasses, trees and plants.

In Trees:

Trees are at risk of contracting Anthracnose Diseases after periods of cool, wet spring weather. Shade Trees are particularly susceptible.

When Anthracnose Disease infects trees it can kill buds, which stimulates the development of many short twigs that may destroy the shape of trees. It can also cause a repeated early loss of leaves, which weakens trees and premature leaf drop, which lessens the shade and ornamental value of trees.

Red, brown, black, or tan spots may slowly appear on leaves that have been infected with Anthracnose disease, and they will become more apparent over time. It is important to keep the ground around trees clear of leaves, and if any fall that are affected with the disease, destroy them. The disease could spread to nearby grass and plants.

In Plants:

Plants will often exhibit lesions with pink masses during wet, warm weather. If the disease is not properly controlled, they can even develop rot. It is important to prune regularly with proper pruning tools to maintain good air circulation. Always remove leaves, stems or fruit in the fall that contained Anthracnose Disease and clean the ground around plants.

In Grass:

Grass is particularly vulnerable when weakened during high heat and stress in spring and summer.

When cutting the lawn set mower blades higher, especially during flashes of hot weather or even if an outbreak of Anthracnose has already occurred. A good way to further alleviate heat stress if to mow and water lawns early in the morning.

Disease Management

It is often possible to prevent contracting or at minimum control the spread of Anthracnose Diseases, using these following methods.

First of all, garden tools used to tend to infected grasses, plants and trees should be disinfected and cleaned with bleach and water to rid them of any disease that may spread through cross-infection.

Anthracnose Fungicide products like Oxidate are environmentally friendly and can be applied as a surface disinfectant, soil drench, foliar treatment or pre-planting dip for both prevention and control.

Anthracnose Fungicide products are highly effective but should be applied more than once and combined with regular cleanup and crop rotation to best prevent resistance to the treatment.

All trimmings, droppings, and other parts taken from plants and trees infected with Anthracnose Diseases shouldn't be composted, but destroyed. Otherwise, when the mulch from the compost is eventually used later, the disease can return and spread to new crops and plants.