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Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners. Each week we feature the most popular questions received on their "Hotline". |
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Week of 5/10/04
Questions concerning fungus and its many and varied forms have kept our Hotline volunteers busy this week. Not only by way of the telephone, but each day seems to bring more visitors bearing affected branches, leaves and samples of lawn grass.
Because of their economic value, relatively slow growth rate, as well as their contribution to the beauty of the landscape, there is always heightened interest when the affect of fungus and fungal disease on trees is concerned. Some damage to shade trees and other ornamentals is due to anthracnose. Anthracnose disease is a general term applied to several fungal diseases that afflict trees, particularly under the damp conditions of early spring and summer.
There are several fungicides labeled for anthracnose control, among them lime sulfur and Bordeaux mixture, but changing environmental conditions often make their use unnecessary. Next week, we shall turn our attention to the many questions the Hotline receives concerning fungus diseases of turf grass, and other lawn problems that are brought to our attention.
Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension
Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.
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A
cool, moist spring often gives way to sudden increases in temperature, and
before we know it, summer is upon us. The combination of heat and
lingering humidity provides ideal conditions for the growth of fungus and
fungal diseases of turf, vegetables, ornamentals, shrubs and trees.
In
the great majority of cases, our volunteers point out that the reason
fungi are thriving is associated with environmental conditions, and that
the affect of heat and humidity will normally decrease as drier conditions
ensue. Often the use of general fungicides is discouraged because of
concern that their use easily becomes the first remedy that home gardeners
seek. Chemical intervention is seldom a completely satisfactory substitute
for proper planting that allows for free air circulation and light
penetration, or for appropriate garden maintenance which entails removal
of dead foliage, spent blooms and broken or diseased plant parts.
Ash,
maple, oak, sycamore and walnut are all susceptible. Signs of anthracnose
include red-brown or black spots on leaves, or browning along the leaf
veins. In severe cases, these may be accompanied by leaf drop. Anthracnose
may be debilitating, but it is rarely fatal to the tree. The drying and
puckering sometimes seen on maple and oak leaves are often confused with
anthracnose. The chances are good that this is scorch, caused later in the
season, by hot, dry winds and a lack of soil moisture. Scorch usually
causes browning and drying along leaf margins, whereas anthracnose
symptoms usually involve tissue along leaf veins. Callers who suspect
anthracnose, are encouraged to bring in a sample to assist in diagnosis of
the problem.