Last week Weeder posted about the leaf drop from her California Sycamore, and seeing that it was only July, the tree certainly was acting as if it was autumn.
She wondered if her tree was diseased, but it looks nice and lush to me from the pictures she posted.
Our sycamores also do the summer leaf drop, and I never worried about it until Angela answered weeder with the dreaded "anthracnose" noun.
Hasty Googling ensued, and now I fear that every darn California Sycamore in Folsom is diseased (not necessarily with the dreaded A noun), because most of them look like mine, and the leaves are covered with these little spots, and leaf drop is continuous.
What do you think? Sick trees? Or Anthracnose?
Jul 18, 2008
Is there a problem officer?
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12 comments:
Problem? Possibly.
Serious problem?
Probably not.
I cannot speak for California Sycamores, but I can speak for the Plane Tree in general. If the leaves are falling from the lower areas of the tree, those huge honking big ones on the lower branches, it is just a natural thing they do. I have observed it each and every year for the last 20 years or so. They just shed leaves in the summer, much like their bark.
Have you had a wet spring and early summer like we have? If so, that white is probably, but not for certain, powdery mildew type fungus on the leaves.
I have found the American Plane tree to be one of the most resilient there is to pests, disease and even natural damage like fire and lightening strikes.
Oh, and those little brown dots on the leaves. I have been told, now mind you I was told this by a professional arborist, that it is like sun scald.
I agree with Rick. The sycamores around here drop leaves all summer long, but are some the oldest trees around.
If you want to be sure, I'd suggest contacting you local cooperative extension service. They probably get asked all the time about those trees, if many of them look the same.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I don't know. I don't have any sycamores. Sorry.~~Dee
I am such an alarmist when it comes to plant diseases. I always brace myself for the worst.
I will cross my fingers for you that the other commenters are right and your tree is just going through some typical mid-summer thing.
rick - thanks a million for the help! These tend to be the huge honkin' leaves, but those are typically all brown, and the leaves like the one pictured have these spots. Totally dry spring, but bizarro weather nonetheless.
Carol - Thanks for the advice about the local extension, I had certainly considered it, but wondered if one of the super famous garden bloggers knew offhand what it might be! :0) I will take your advice.
Dee - Thanks for weighing in.
Meg - I never thought it was anything big, but my interest is now piqued. I will keep you all updated.
I say anthracnose. It's common around here to have the disease cause pre-mature leaf drop with Sycamores. They do have varieties of sycamores that are disease resistant, but these we're put in by landscaping crews where cost, not variety was the main criteria. The disease shouldn't be fatal, but a problem due to the leaf drop.
I'd have to say it's probably a normal process of the tree. If the tree overall looks to be in good health, I wouldn't worry.
Dagny
www.onnotextiles.com
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Yeah, Anthracnose isn't usually THAT big of a deal... certainly nothing to dread. ;-)
I love plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia). For anyone considering planting one of these long-lived, fast-growing trees, 'Bloodgood' is supposed to be Anthracnose-resistant; 'Yarwood', mildew-resistant; 'Columbia', both.
Well, to be perfectly rude, I wish my next-door neighbor's tree had early leaf drop. I might have planted my grape vines in the _wrong place_ against the fence (right under the tree!) and they're not getting enough sun.
:D
I hope all the pros are correct. It's sad to see an entire species die out. We are losing quite a few trees to drought this year. Our Hemlocks aren't looking too good either. It's sad.
oops, I meant: ew, sycasickness!
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