Anthracnose
Discula fraxinea
What is Anthracnose (Discula fraxinea)?
Anthracnose caused by Plagiostoma fraxini (Asexual: Discula fraxinea) is a fungal disease affecting ash trees. It is distributed in regions such as the Pacific Northwest. The disease primarily targets young tissues, causing small water-soaked spots that rapidly merge into brown or tan blotches on distorted leaves. Infected leaves may exhibit necrotic spots, and severe cases can lead to defoliation and dieback in lower branches.
How does Anthracnose (Discula fraxinea) occur?
Ash dieback spreads through spores that infect susceptible ash trees. When conditions are favorable, spores germinate, penetrate leaves, and cause symptoms like leaf spots, wilting, and defoliation. It thrives in moderate temperatures with rain or humidity and extended leaf wetness. During reproduction, the fungus produces new spores (conidia) within acervuli on infected leaves. Released spores can be dispersed by wind, rain, or other means to infect new ash trees or susceptible plant parts, continuing the cycle.
Symptoms
1 - Tree Health Decline
The disease can weaken ash trees by causing defoliation, reduced growth, and declining tree health. This can increase vulnerability to other pests, diseases, or environmental stresses.
3 - Soil Nutrient Cycling
When ash trees are affected by Anthracnose, their leaf litter and organic matter input to the soil decrease. This can disrupt nutrient cycling processes, potentially affecting the composition and fertility of the soil.
4 - Carbon Sequestration
Ash trees contribute to carbon sequestration by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The loss of ash trees due to Anthracnose reduces the capacity of affected areas to sequester carbon, potentially impacting the local carbon balance.
5 - Landscape and Economic Impacts
Anthracnose can have significant aesthetic and economic impacts, particularly in areas where ash trees are valued for landscaping, timber, or other commercial purposes. The loss of healthy ash trees can require costly removal and replacement efforts.
Solutions
1 - Plant Selection and Resistant Cultivars
Select ash tree varieties that are known to be resistant to Anthracnose, as they are less likely to be affected by the disease. If Anthracnose is prevalent in your area, consider planting tree species other than ash that are not susceptible to the disease.
3 - Cultural Control
• Rake and dispose of fallen leaves to reduce the source of infection. • Prune and remove dead twigs and branches, improving air circulation and reducing disease spread. • Ensure proper watering practices to promote tree vigor. • Implement a balanced fertilization program based on soil test results. • Apply mulch around the base of the tree to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth.
5 - Sanitation and Removal of Infected Plant Material
Remove fallen leaves and debris from around the base of ash trees, as they can harbor fungal spores and promote disease development. Dispose of the debris properly. Disinfect pruning tools and equipment after each use, especially when working with infected trees.
Susceptible Species
Flamingo Boxelder
Kelly's Gold Boxelder
Japanese Maple
Suminagashi Japanese Maple
River Birch
River Birch (clump)
Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch
Kashmir Deodar Cedar
Eddie's White Wonder Flowering Dogwood
Cherokee Brave Flowering Dogwood
Cherokee Chief Flowering Dogwood
Cherokee Daybreak Flowering Dogwood
Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood
Cherokee Sunset Flowering Dogwood
Red Flowering Dogwood
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Golden Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Fallgold Black Ash
Leprechaun Green Ash
Patmore Green Ash
Sweet Gum
Round Leaf Sweet Gum
Silver King Sweet Gum
Slender Silhouette Sweet Gum
Worplesdon Sweet Gum
Tuliptree
Arnold Tuliptree
Yellow Variegated Tuliptree
Fastigiatum Tuliptree
Alexandrina Saucer Magnolia
Rustica Rubra Magnolia
horse chestnut
horse chestnut
snapdragon
European white birch
silver birch
false aster
false aster
false chamomile
false aster
camellia
Siberian peashrub
rose peashrub
tatarian dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
flowering dogwood
mountain dogwood
red twig dogwood
yellow twig dogwood
Washington hawthorn
common calabash tree
winter squash
winter squash
winter squash
summer squash
Kashmir cypress
winter creeper
white ash
white ash
white ash
European ash
European ash
European ash
Manchurian ash
flowering ash
green ash
pumpkin ash
blue ash
ash
English ivy
ashy sunflower
common hop
common St. John's wort
black walnut
ashe juniper
seashore mallow
common privet
Chinese tulip tree
big blue lilyturf
star magnolia
spearmint
oriental plane tree
common pear
white oak
scarlet oak
pin oak
pin oak
willow oak
English oak
English oak
English oak
red oak
weeping willow
dragon's claw willow
rough goldenrod
mountain ash
American mountain ash
European mountain ash
mountain ash
snowberry
ash-colored speedwell
David viburnum
southern prickly-ash
Oregon Ash
Red-Flowering Currant
Vine Maple
variegated bulbous oat grass
silverleaf dogwood
Silver King euonymus
Idaho fescue
narrow-leafed ash
Transvaal daisy
Oregon grape
peppermint
London plane
Garry oak
tomato
Pink Pagoda mountain ash
piggyback plant
Pink Dawn chitalpa
Seashore False Bindweed
Eyelash Fern
Red Ash
Black Calabash
Bigleaf Black Calabash
Wild Cashew
Cashew Nut
Ashitaba
Siberian Peashrub
Mandarin Plant
Cashmere (Cashmir) bouquet
Chinese Glory Bower
Calabash Tree
Blue Olive Berry
Manna Ash
Seashore Mangosteen
Ash sheora
Taffeta Plant
Urus mane
Urus mane
Calabash Nutmeg
Monodora
Ashanti Blood
Wild Sweet Calabash
Sweet Calabash
Telegraph Pole Tree
Hop Tree
Amargo
Ashoka Tree
Ashoka Tree
Chayote
Walking Palm
White Satin Ash
Roly Poly Satinash
West Indian Lilac
Washingtonia
Ashwagandha
American Prickly Ash
Moro Blood Orange
FAQ
Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?
Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.
How often should you water indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.
Can my monstera plant get root rot?
Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.
Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?
No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.
What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?
If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.
Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?
Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.
Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?
Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.
Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?
No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.
