Its monumental shape and robust constitution do not protect the sycamore maple from infections. Although most diseases do not destroy the beautiful deciduous tree, they still spoil its magnificent leaves or decorative shoots. Reason enough to familiarize yourself with the typical symptoms and proven methods of combating common diseases.
What diseases can affect a sycamore tree and how can they be combated?
Common diseases that can affect a sycamore maple include tar spot, red pustule and verticillium wilt. Removing affected leaves helps against tar spot disease, while pruning affected shoots is effective against red pustule disease. Verticillium wilt, on the other hand, cannot be controlled; clearing the affected tree in a timely manner is recommended.
Identifying and preventing tar spot disease - How to do it
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. Severely infected leaves brown and fall off prematurely.
You don't have to use chemical sprays to combat it. By removing all leaves in the fall, you interrupt the pathogen's development cycle so that no further infections occur. Incidentally, this strategy has proven successful in other fungal infections of maple species.
It is important to note that you do not dispose of the leaves in the compost. From here the fungal spores find their way to your sycamore maple again. Dispose of the leaves in household waste or bury them at least 20 cm deep in the ground.
Red pustule disease - symptoms and control
One of the most common shoot and bark diseases on sycamore maples is red pustular disease (Nectria cinnabarina). How to detect and fight the infection:
- Symptoms: pinhead-sized, reddish pustules on the shoots in winter and early spring, signs of wilting
- Measure: Cut back to he althy wood in September/October
- Prevention: Avoid waterlogging and drought stress, do not leave any cones when pruning
In field trials, experts found that spraying with fungicides had no noticeable control effect. The most effective method of prevention is to avoid all kinds of stress factors, as the pathogens specifically target weakened sycamore trees.
Verticillium wilt leaves sycamore maple no chance
The only sycamore disease without options for control manifests itself in the form of wilted, pale green leaves. The soil-borne pathogen gradually clogs all the 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 in a timely manner.
Tip
A whole range of pests have their sights set on the sycamore maple and its relatives. Therefore, from spring onwards, keep an eye out for gall mites, aphids, scale insects and spider mites in order to put a stop to the nefarious activities of these pests in good time using ecological means.
