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Scrub oak leaves turning brown #883626
Asked August 31, 2024, 3:18 PM EDT
Hi! Our backyard srucb oaks leaves are turning brown and falling. I’ve attached several pictures but I’m not sure if it’s Oak Anthracnose, oak wit, or something else. About an 1/4 mile away on trails the scrub oaks look healthy. Thank you!
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Anthracnose is a fairly common disease among a variety of shade trees, oaks among them. Oak anthracnose is caused by the fungus called Apiogromonia quercina. Even though the symptom's can look serious, the damage that anthracnose causes is usually minimal and rarely kills a tree. The fungus survives in the fallen leaves so raking the leaves up immediately is quite beneficial which prevents the spread of the disease.