Fungus On Dogwood Tree Bark

For more information on crown canker on dogwood trees read on.

Fungus on dogwood tree bark. The most serious but rare trunk canker among dogwoods is caused by the phytophthora fungus. A particular kind of canker disease called the diffuse canker is typical to dogwoods. This is a relatively new disease of dogwood in south carolina and it is caused by the fungus discula destructiva. The infection is manifested in the form of leaf spots and stem cankers.

There are several types of fungus that can be found on different trees. The disease also known as collar rot is caused by the pathogen phytophthora cactorum. Crown canker is a fungal disease that attacks flowering dogwood trees. Caused by the fungus discula destructive dogwood anthracnose attacks the tree causing masses of spores to appear on the bark.

If the tree has multiple cankers the cankers could surround the trunk and eventually kill the dogwood. It most frequently attacks trees that are stressed or injured. Trunk sprouts occur in the advanced stage. The adult is a day flying clearwing moth.

The main signs are rot on the truck of the tree which can mess up its structural integrity. Dogwood anthracnose is most severe only in areas of the state that are higher than 2000 feet. Thin trees with rot are likely to fall apart. The fungus spreads to the twigs and the trunk of the tree.

Prune out dead limbs that might be harboring fungi but do not trim infected. Dogwood anthracnose discula anthracnose. It is about 3 8 inch long blue black with two yellow bands around the abdomen and resembles a wasp. Apply a fungicide during bud break to protect new flowers twigs and foliage.

Florida are resistant to anthracnose and decline and should be used to replace dying trees. Rake and destroy fallen leaves. This may further kill the entire leaf. The dogwood borer is the major pest of dogwood.

The initial symptoms appear as medium to large purple bordered leaf spots and scorched tan blotches. It is caused by the canker fungus that spreads inside the bark sucking away the bark s nutrition. Other symptoms of fungal infection include sunken areas on parts of the tree s bark and discoloration on the bark. Kousa and hybrids of kousa and native dogwood c.

Deprive powdery mildew of excess succulent dogwood growth to feed on by avoiding fertilizers with high nitrogen content. It spreads from leaves to the twigs down to the main stem forming cankers on it. It might also cause epicormic branches to form on the trunk and some of the larger branches. The shoots are also killed in this disease.

Dogwood cankers are commonly found on the main trunk area. Protect trees from drought stress winter injury and dogwood borer attack. The first symptoms of dogwood anthracnose are typically tan spots with.