Sycamore anthracnose is a fungal disease that can cause leaf drop, twig dieback, cankers and the sudden death of more than 90% of a tree’s new shoot growth. Expanding sycamore shoots and leaves may quickly develop disease symptoms and die. Currently, spray treatments are not available. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterial pathogen that kills off entire branches of the tree. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Contact us today for information on pruning or any of our other sycamore tree care services. Infected leaves distort, yellow and fall. Both of these trees are well adapted to all areas of the state; however, they are susceptible to some diseases and insect pests. Generally, the healthier and more vital the tree, the less it will experience sycamore tree problems. Both adults and nymphs feed on the undersides of leaves. However, some fungi aggressively attack trees and cause cankers. If the tree is small enough, spraying with a strong stream of water can control a light infestation. Rhytisma acerinum is the teleomorph of tar spot. Look for patches of powdery white matter on sycamore leaves or branches, an indication that your sycamore has powdery mildew disease. Believed to be native to the United States, it is found throughout the range of sycamores. Prevention & Treatment: The sycamore lace bug has several natural enemies, including assassin bugs, minute pirate bugs, lacewings, spiders and predaceous mites. One of the most common sycamore tree pests is the sycamore lace bug that gets its name from the lacy pattern on the adult’s wings, head, and chest. A single attack seldom causes harm but if the tree is infected several years in succession it will weaken a tree, making it susceptible to borer attack and winter injury. Anthracnose can usually be prevented by taking good care of the tree and making sure it has enough water and fertilizer. Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that gets into the tree through the roots. Rhytisma acerinum can occur in many tree species, with the most commonly affected genus being Acer. The species most commonly affected by the disease are Norway maple (Acer platanoides), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). Mature Height/Spread: Sycamore is a massive tree that grows 70 to 100 feet tall with a similar spread. Ornamental Features: Sycamores are valued for their massive size and are often used as shade trees. This disease may appear as four distinct phases: Sycamore anthracnose symptoms on leaves and twigs.Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org, Sycamore anthracnose symptoms on leaf.Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org. When planting a new tree, select a cultivar that exhibits resistance. Initially, leaves on only one or a few branches may be affected. Of the 10 species of sycamore (Platanus species), one species, American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and one hybrid, London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia) are common in South Carolina. It may also be affected by horse chestnut scale insect, which appears as fluffy white spots on the trunk and branches during the summer. Sycamores are infected with anthracnose to some degree every year, but the trees recover most of their canopy as the season progresses and they survive their yearly bout with this disease. It can be very difficult to treat, but it doesn’t typically kill mature, established trees. When a small twig or branch is affected, cankers may girdle and eventually kill the branch. Bacterial leaf scorch can also be a problem. You’ll find that there are quite a few diseases of sycamore trees. Since little serious damage results from lace bug infestation of sycamore trees, tolerating some damage is a good choice. Prevention & Treatment: There is no way to prevent BLS, but if affected limbs are pruned out early in the infection and well below the scorched leaves, a cure may be possible. This can happen especially when extended periods of cool and wet … If insecticide application becomes necessary and is feasible, acephate (sprays) and imidacloprid (soil drench) are recommended for homeowner use. As much as possible, these predators should be allowed to reduce lace bug populations. The resulting tree decline may require removal of the infected tree. The sycamore tree ('Platanus occidentalis') is the biggest deciduous tree in the Eastern United States, growing as tall as 75 to 100 feet. This tree disease will occur on well-established plantings and those already under stress. Meanwhile the fungal pathogen can grow further and kill dormant buds. It is caused by the fungus Apiognomonia venata (asexual stage – Discula platani). Symptoms tend to begin with older leaves on a branch and then develop in younger leaves. Sooty Bark Disease (Sycamore) Sooty bark is a fungal disease which can lay dormant within the wood of a perfectly healthy tree for many years and is likely only to become active when the tree is under stress, for example, after long periods of hot weather. Powdery mildew typically begins as circular or irregular patches of white to gray powdery material (spores and threadlike strands of the fungus) on leaves and twigs. What to look for during sycamore tree pruning. Prevention & Treatment: Apply adequate fertilizer and water to maintain the vigor of the tree(s) as per recommendations in HGIC 1000, Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs. Sycamore Fungus. Another common disease of sycamore trees is powdery mildew fungus. The domina… This tree was also once called Buttonwood, because of the round seeds, which look like big buttons. This is most common in trees growing in full shade near water. Sycamore decline, sometimes called dieback, has been reported since the 1950’s across the Southen United States. Read and follow all directions on the label. Growth Rate: This tree grows at a moderate to rapid rate, and has a moderate to long life span. Oftentimes, there will be a band of reddish color between the scorched portion of the leaf and the rest of the leaf. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterial pathogen (disease-causing organism) with a wide host range. Other sycamores may become weedy from their seeds, or have disease problems. Sycamore is susceptible to sooty bark, which can lead to wilting of the crown and death of the tree, as well as a variety of other fungal diseases. Trees that don’t get enough water also become susceptible to pest infestations and diseases. Promote plant vigor by protecting the tree from stresses. Anthracnose is seldom fatal, but results in leaf, bud, and small twig death. As always, the first line of defense against pest problems is to follow recommended cultural practices in order to maintain healthy plants. Sycamore lace bugs.James Solomon, USDA Service, Bugwood.org. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. However, even well placed, irrigated, and fertilized sycamore trees can get some pests and diseases. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 2011 | Updated: Jan 10, 2020 | Print | Download (PDF). You’ll find that there are quite a few diseases of sycamore trees. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that tends to attack plants in the spring when the weather is cool and wet, primarily on leaves and twigs. New growth is often stunted. Over several years, entire branches may die. Sycamore is a massive tree reaching 75 to 90 feet in height, has a rapid growth rate, and tolerates wet and compacted soil. Trees with extensive dieback should be removed and replaced with non-susceptible trees. Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJanet McLeod Scott, Former Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityJames H. Blake, EdD, Extension Associate/Adjunct Professor, Dept. This tree is especially tough and very suitable for a shade tree or screen. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Prevention & Treatment: For large trees, it is usually not practical to spray, and control is often not warranted. Infected leaves become distorted, and may turn yellow and drop. Sphaeropsis tip blight, formerly known as Diplodia, is a fungal tree disease most commonly affecting Austrian pines (Pinus nigra), Scotch pine (P. sylvestris), ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) and mugo pine (P. mugo). The American Sycamore is the tree most usually planted when you want to grow a Sycamore tree.