Oak anthracnose?

[KentuckySawyer]

I looked at a northern red oak (Quercus rubra) today with what I think is Oak Anthracnose. Splotchy necrotic spots, curled leaves, and affected leaves concentrated in lower canopy.

I'm a newcomer to disease diagnosis and treatment, so what are some recommendations on treatment? I've read that anthracnose isn't typically fatal to the tree but this case seems to be fairly progressive.

I was thinking of recommending fertilization and creating a large mulch bed around the trunk as a replacement to the present sod.

Also, is auger type fertilization acceptable, or would I have to recommend a tree company with an injection rig.

Thanks.

 

[treeseer]

what I think is Oak Anthracnose. Splotchy necrotic spots, curled leaves, and affected leaves concentrated in lower canopy.

* mIght be, might not.

I'm a newcomer to disease diagnosis and treatment, so what are some recommendations on treatment?

The first job is to make a positive diagnosis before even thinking about treatment. Can you post a picture?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

A least up here Q. rubra is less likely to get anthracnose then alba. Though the splotchy leaves are a good indicator. Though ruling out leaf scorch is needed.

all anthracose fungi are very temp/humidity specific, ie they occur in a small are of convergance of cool & humid. SO complete defoliation every year is not all that likely. When the do defoliate thengood cultural practices that prevent future stresses on the tree are indicated (though high N ferts are never good on mature trees, IMO)

only on trees in microenvironments that lend to the poor conditions would annual sprays be needed.

 

[Treeman14]

Oak leaf blister is MUCH more common. As Guy said, a positive diagnosis is essential BEFORE applying any treatments.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Maybe it's Tubakia.

 

[Treeman14]

Tubakia doesn't usually show up until later in the year.

 

[murphy4trees]

Would someone here or anywhere for that matter provide some science that shows fertilization is good for diseased trees.. PLEASE
Funny but growth regulators are all the rage now for diseased trees........

OHHHHHHHH i got it....... SELL THEM BOTH....
you make twice the $$$ that way............

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Daniel, I think the consensus on fertilizing trees, is to do a soil test, and correct any deficiencies as needed.
If you don't understand how this would help a diseased tree, then you need to go back to the chalk board. If you are assuming that by fertilization you mean dumping urea nitrogen on every tree you can, then I agree, that kind of fertilization does nothing good for trees.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Tubakia doesn't usually show up until later in the year.

What is late season in KY? February?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Would someone here or anywhere for that matter provide some science that shows fertilization is good for diseased trees.. PLEASE
Funny but growth regulators are all the rage now for diseased trees........

OHHHHHHHH i got it....... SELL THEM BOTH....
you make twice the $$$ that way............

The theory behind the TGR's is that you make a small er internode, so the tree is not expending as many reserves every year, then use a low N, broad spectrum fert so that the plant has all of Mr. Hopkins Cafe available to it.

If the tree is allready stressed from pest or environmental problems then even having optimal soil conditions may not be all that is needed.

As for the dogmatic "take a soil test" your only half way there. You need a soil and a foliar annalysis when the tree is in a stressed condition to make a good guess as to what you need to apply.

My personal POV is that most trees in turffed landscapes are deprived of oganic mater and the minor/trace elements that come with the decomposition.

So the periodic amendment with fish or seaweed emulsions, or an organic braodcast will be benificial to woody plants.

Using a method that is cost effective is not nessesarily a bad thing. We cannot get people to compost to the dripline (not just chip, chip w/o compost does not do the tree a whol lot of good, then with regulare renewal of the chip we will still get the encircling roots that will become girdlers later...)

off the soapbox and out to look at houses with my sweetheart.

bye-bye