T
The Daily Insight

How do you treat anthracnose on ash trees?

Author

John Thompson

Published May 31, 2026

How do you treat anthracnose on ash trees?

The best way to manage ash anthracnose is to prune dead or dying branches and dispose of all the leaves and other ash debris in the fall so that there is no immediate source of spores to begin infections in the spring.

Do ash trees get anthracnose?

A fungal problem is causing ash trees to lose their leaves “The leaves are falling due to a fungal problem called ash anthracnose,” Zeleznik says. “Ash anthracnose occurs during wet springs, and this year it’s especially problematic through much of southern North Dakota.”

Will anthracnose kill a tree?

The severity of anthracnose varies each year with weather; however, even in those years when the disease is severe, anthracnose will not result in tree death. Most trees are able to withstand infection and push out a new crop of leaves by mid-June.

What are the signs of ash tree disease?

Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark, and canopy and bark loss.

How is anthracnose spread?

Anthracnose Tip: Plan your gardening tasks, including harvests, for times when plants are dry. Anthracnose can spread from plant to plant via wet hands, pruners, and clothing.

What kills anthracnose on trees?

How to Control Anthracnose. Remove and destroy any infected plants in your garden. For trees, prune out the dead wood and destroy the infected leaves. You can try spraying your plants with a copper-based fungicide, though be careful because copper can build up to toxic levels in the soil for earthworms and microbes.

How does anthracnose affect trees?

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease of shade trees that results in leaf spots, cupping or curling of leaves and early leaf drop. In Minnesota, anthracnose is most common in cool, wet spring weather. Anthracnose is not a significant threat to the health of the tree and doesn’t require treatment in most cases.

What should you do if your ash tree has anthracnose?

Preventive cultural and chemical pest-management treatments may inhibit the development or spread of the disease. Fungal infections continue unabated when infected leaves drop and remain on the ground under ash trees. Rake up fallen leaves from under trees to help break the life cycle of ash anthracnose.

What kind of tree does anthracnose come from?

Anthracnose is caused by several different, but closely related fungi. Most fungi that cause anthracnose can infect only one type of tree. For example, fungi infecting ash trees will not be able to infect maple or oak trees. Ash. Birch. Black walnut. Butternut. Buckeye.

Why are the leaves on my ash tree turning black?

Anthracnose is causing these ash tree leaves to curl and the edges to turn black and die. A disease that’s causing ash trees to lose their leaves won’t kill the trees.

What kind of fungus does an ash tree have?

Some plants, such as ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), are pathogen-specific hosts for individual anthracnose fungal strains. Gnomoniella fraxini is the fungus that attacks ash trees. Cool and wet spring weather promotes fungal growth and causes leaf and shoot blight.

What are the symptoms of ash tree disease?

Most ash tree diseases can be identified as one of two types: foliar or vascular. A foliar disease primarily affects the foliage (or leaves) of the tree. Symptoms of a foliar disease include spotting, wilting and premature dropping of the leaves.

Anthracnose is caused by a fungus, and among vegetables, it attacks cucurbits. Anthracnose can survive on infected plant debris and is very easily spread. Like rust, it thrives under moist and warm conditions and is often spread by watering.

What is anthracnose disease?

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that tends to attack plants in the spring when the weather is cool and wet, primarily on leaves and twigs.