Trees are at risk of contracting Anthracnose Disease after periods of cool, wet weather in the spring. Grass is particularly vulnerable when weakened during high heat and stress in spring and summer.

Signs and Symptoms

Leaves infected with Anthracnose Disease show spots that grow in size over time. The spots may be red, tan, brown or black.

Plants often exhibit lesions with pink masses during wet, warm weather and can develop rot if the disease is not properly controlled.

Disease Management

It is often possible to prevent contracting or at minimum control the spread of Anthracnose Diseases.

In Grass

When cutting the lawn set mower blades higher, especially during hot weather or if an outbreak of Anthracnose has already occurred. Mow and water lawns early in the morning to further alleviate heat stress.

In Plants

Prune trees and shrubs with proper pruning tools to maintain good air circulation. Always remove leaves, stems or fruit in the fall that contained Anthracnose Disease and clean the ground around plants.

In Trees

Keep the ground around trees clear of leaves; if any fall that are affected with Anthracnose Disease, destroy them.

Garden tools used to tend to infected grasses, plants and trees should be disinfected with a bleach and water solution to avoid cross-infection.

Environmentally friendly Anthracnose Fungicide products like OxiDate can be applied as a surface disinfectant, soil drench, foliar treatment or pre-planting dip for both prevention and control.

Anthracnose Fungicide products are highly effective but should be applied more than once and combined with regular cleanup and crop rotation to best prevent resistance to the treatment.

All trimmings and droppings from grasses, plants and trees infected with Anthracnose Diseases should be destroyed without composting; otherwise, when the compost mulch is used later the disease can spread.