Oak anthracnose is a fungal disease that infects oak trees, in particular the White oak. The fungus that causes it is apiognomonia quercinia. Each year, the plants that were infected the year previous will spread the spores from rain and moisture that gets splashed in the spring to new growth.
How Can You Spot it?
Early in the season, the immature leaves start to show infection, the disease will present itself as brown and dead looking edges of the leaves, with necrotic spots on the veins of the leaves themselves. Often what will happen is there will be a distinct separation between healthy and infected tissue on the leaf. As a leaf gets more and more infected, it will start looking misshapen and will curl in on itself. Mature leaves resist infection better than immature, but can still get infected. They will have small, brown spots, and tend to show the infection during the summer. When a tree is severely infected it can lose all its foliage, and there could be dieback of the branches as well.
Difference Between Oak Anthracnose and Oak Wilt
These two diseases are often confused, but there are some differences to help tell them apart. For one, anthracnose usually attacks white oak, and oak wilt generally attacks red oak. Also, anthracnose is signified by its splotches spread around a leaf. Wilt will cause large brown spots that sometimes combine into even larger spots. Anthracnose also generally infects the lower branches on the inside because it thrives in higher humidity levels. Oak wilt tends to stick with the extremities in the upper part of the tree.
How Devastating Is It?
Luckily, while it looks ugly, oak anthracnose will not cause any permanent damage to previously healthy and established trees. To control it, you must water, mulch, and use good sanitation. Make sure to rake leaves from the area, and prune any dead or dying branches, but only when it’s dry. These actions will help prevent the spread of infection. The best time to prune is from April to June, since the wounds inflicted by pruning can attract Nitidulid beetles, which can spread oak wilt. You can also use a fungicide to help protect new growth in the spring.
If you suspect trees on your Minnesota property have been infected by oak anthracnose, then follow this handy guide to identify it and to help prevent the spread of infection.
In March 2017, The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) placed Goodhue County under a quarantine following the discovery of emerald ash borer (emerald ash borer) in Red Wing.
The emerald ash borer is an insect that can be classified as an invasive species. The insect gets its name from the trees that it feeds on, the emerald ash tree, which is commonly found in North America. If infected trees are not treated early on, saving them may not be possible. Entire forests can be impacted if the infection is not spotted quickly, as the species will move from from one tree to the next.
Indicators of emerald ash borer infection
- Check for cracks in the bark. When emerald ash borer larvae crawls its way into the tree, it causes the bark to split open, causing an “S-shaped” crack.
- Look for woodpecker damage. Woodpeckers eat the emerald ash borer. If you see an abnormal amount of holes in your tree, there is a chance the tree may be infected.
- Contact a professional. There are ways that professionals can determine the presence of emerald ash borer and prevent damage to your trees.
Before you contact anyone, make sure that the tree you are examining is indeed an emerald ash tree. The branches of ash trees come off the trunk, across from one another. The bark has a tight, diamond shape pattern.
One of the best ways to prevent emerald ash borer from coming to your area is to buy firewood that is certified “pest-free”. Buy it at a location near where you intend to burn it. This will help prevent emerald ash borer from traveling from one county to another.
Minnesota possesses more than one billion ash trees.
An exotic Asian beetle is wreaking havoc on ash trees all across the country,and Minnesota is no exception. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle indigenous to Asia. Introduced into the United States in 2002, the adult beetle causes little damage to plants when they nibble on leaves. Larvae, however, feed on the bark of ash trees, interrupting the normal flow of water and nutrients.
Nothing makes your home landscape look more beautiful than a luscious lawn in a red summer sunset. The summer heat, however, can be enough to wreak havoc on the health and appearance of your lawn. While the trees and plants on your property grow lusciously with plenty of sun exposure and proper watering, the grass in your lawn is susceptible to a number of hazards. Overexposure to the sun’s heat without proper watering or care will cause it to dry up and die before fall. On the flipside of the coin, grass that does not receive enough exposure to sunlight due to shading from thick tree canopies will also begin to thin right around midsummer. Consider planting a species of shade grass this summer for a full lawn all season long. (more…)
With spring weather quickly approaching, the time is getting near for you to start making plans for your summer garden, and believe it or not, there’s a lot more to consider than you might expect. When it comes to selecting plants for your garden, consider patterns, color schemes, and the climate and geography of the area you live in. Sunflowers and daisies are always great options because of their brilliant colors. You should also consider growing lilac bushes in your garden. The bright purple color of lilac plants enhances perfectly the whites and greens of late spring. Lilacs produce a great aroma when they bloom. Read on to discover more about growing lilac bushes.
Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. With the warmer weather quickly coming our way, now is a great time to start thinking about your home landscape. That includes what plants you are going to feature in your design, and also the layout of your design. You should also consider providing some extra protection, or support for your garden. Fencing is one of the best ways to provide support and stability to your garden. It helps you keep your garden properly maintained throughout the season. Putting up a garden fence is a great way to keep your garden strong and uninhibited. Finding the right fence, however, can be enough to make or break your landscaping design. Your garden fence must be sturdy enough to provide support and protection. It must also add to the aesthetic quality, or overall appearance of your landscaping design. With that in mind, here are six benefits that come with putting up a garden fence on your property.
If you enjoy landscape photography, then you probably want to ensure you get the best shot every time. Although weather certainly plays a role with outdoor photography, you need to dig a little deeper to get the job done. In fact, try to approach landscape photography with an open mind. The rain, snow, and wind all make for interesting photographs. When you’re shooting outside, it may be beneficial to know the area well. However, you can still take some good pieces by letting your inspiration come from your surroundings. There are some key ways to approach landscape photography to help yourself get great shots every time. If you’re trying to make your photos better than ever, use these landscape photography tips.
There are many ways small yard landscaping can improve your home’s appearance. Working with a small space might limit the room you have to work with. There are, however, plenty of options for you to make your small yard landscape beautiful and unique. You will need to take some time to prepare, but once you’ve finished, you’ll have a beautiful landscape project that will make all your neighbors jealous! Follow these small yard landscaping ideas to get your creativity flowing and create a design of your own this year:
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A flower garden can enhance your landscape. They should be prepared during spring, after the snow has melted. You can decide on what kind of flowers to plant in your garden. Choose from a wide variety of perennials, annuals, or both for your garden. Try to select an array of colorful flowers that will attract local wildlife. Once you have your selection, follow these tips on how to plant a flower garden.
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