anthracnose? - Ask Extension
Hi,
We planted 3 new birch trees early this month; 2 Whitespire single stem and 1 River Birch clump. The clump was the first to struggle with some d...
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anthracnose? #798428
Asked June 29, 2022, 6:56 AM EDT
Hi,
We planted 3 new birch trees early this month; 2 Whitespire single stem and 1 River Birch clump. The clump was the first to struggle with some dead dying branches and leaves but with consistent watering we see new growth and are hopeful it will recover. More concerning are the leaf spots on one of the Whitespire. I’ve included a couple of pics. I contacted the nursery for guidance with no reply, yet. We spent over $700 on these trees and are very distressed at the possibility of losing any of them. Any guidance appreciated. My Google search suggested anthracnose; would you agree and can I treat this?
Thanks in advance.
Cathy
Becker County Minnesota
Expert Response
This does look like anthracnose. It can be the consequence of of cool wet spring weather when leaves are forming. Although the tree may drop these leaves, they usually produce new ones without spots when the weather turns hot and dry. Read more about this condition at the following websites. You can also send a specimen to the plant disease clinic for a fee.
1. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/birch/leavesdrop.html
2. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/anthracnose-trees-and-shrubs
3. https://pdc.umn.edu/
1. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/birch/leavesdrop.html
2. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/anthracnose-trees-and-shrubs
3. https://pdc.umn.edu/