Dogwood Anthracnose Fact Sheet

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Dogwood anthracnose fact sheet.

Dogwood anthracnose can be prevalent in native dogwood populations in kentucky forests as well as in landscapes where dogwoods grow in shaded locations. The fungus discula destructiva causes dogwood anthracnose leaf blight and canker. It is also an important disease of pacific dogwood cornus nuttallii in the west. Chinese dogwood cornus kousa is tolerant of discula anthracnose and is recommended for nursery stock and replacement of dogwoods that have been killed by the fungus.

The fungus has caused extensive mortality of dogwoods in portions along the east coast into the southeastern united states since it was first discovered in the early 1970s. This disease occurs only if weather conditions are very wet and humid in the spring. Warm dry weather will curtail the disease. Unlike spot anthracnose dogwood anthracnose can lead to tree death under certain environmen tal conditions.

Dogwood anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus discula destructiva. Nuttallii dogwood species in the united states. Dogwood anthracnose is not to be confused with dogwood spot anthracnose discussed previously or shade tree anthracnose affects other shade trees but not dogwood. Dogwood powdery mildew has also become a recent major threat to dogwoods.

Another possible substitute is cornelian cherry cornus mas. This aggressive disease can result in tree death. Early spring blossoms from bright yellow to creamy white. Either tree or shrub form depending on species.

Kousa are quite resistant to the disease. Patches of gray mold grow on the patches if the weather remains very humid. Early spring blossoms from bright yellow to creamy white. The causal agent is the fungus discula destructiva and as the name suggests this pathogen is highly.

Kousa is also susceptible to infection but is highly resistant to the disease and typically suffers only minor leaf spotting. Dogwood anthracnose dogwood anthracnose is considered the most serious disease of flowering dogwood cornus florida in connecticut and the eastern seaboard. Dogwood anthracnose infects flowering cornus florida and pacific dogwoods c. Outstanding features small to medium size allows for many landscape applications.

Dogwood anthracnose discula destructiva is often described as the most serious disease that affects dogwood species specifically flowering cornus florida and mountain c. Burgundy red fall foliage on most species. For this reason it can be beneficial to plant your dogwood in late spring when warm temperatures will kill the fungus which thrives in cooler wet weather. Bright red or bluish black fruit.

It is also an important disease of pacific dogwood cornus nuttallii in the west.