Its monumental shape and robust constitution do not protect the sycamore from infections. Although most diseases do not destroy the beautiful deciduous tree, they spoil its magnificent foliage or decorative shoots. Reason enough to familiarize yourself with typical symptoms and proven methods of combating common diseases.

Tar spot is a fungal infection

Recognize and prevent tar spot disease - this is how it works

The fungal infection tar spot disease is also known as maple scab. The pathogen Rhytisma punctatum has specialized in the sycamore maple. Visible symptoms of the infestation are black spots with a light yellow edge on the leaves. Heavily affected leaves turn brown and fall off prematurely.

You do not have to resort to chemical sprays to combat it. By removing all foliage in the fall, you interrupt the development cycle of the pathogen so that further infections do not occur. Incidentally, this strategy has proven itself in other fungal infections of maple species.

It is important to note that you do not dispose of the foliage on the compost. From here, the fungal spores will find their way to your sycamore again. Dispose of the leaves in the trash or bury them at least 20 cm deep in the ground.

Red pustular disease - symptoms and control

One of the most common shoot and bark diseases on sycamore is red pustule disease (Nectria cinnabarina). How to recognize and fight the infection:

  • Symptoms: Pinhead-sized, reddish pustules on the shoots in winter and early spring, signs of wilting
  • Measure: Cut back into healthy wood in September/October
  • Prevention: avoid waterlogging and drought stress, leave no cones when pruning

In field tests, experts were able to determine that spraying with fungicides did not achieve any discernible control success. The most effective method of prevention is to avoid all kinds of stress factors, since the pathogens are specifically targeting weakened sycamore trees.

Verticillium wilt doesn't give sycamore a chance

The only sycamore disease with no options for control manifests itself in the form of wilted, pale green leaves. The soil-borne pathogen successively clogs all pathways in the tree so that it is ultimately doomed to die. To prevent the fungus from spreading further in the garden, we recommend clearing the affected maple tree in good time.

tips

A whole range of pests have their sights set on the sycamore maple and its conspecifics. Therefore, keep an eye out for gall mites, aphids, scale insects and spider mites from spring onwards in order to put a stop to the shameful activities of the pests in good time with ecological means.

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Trees