Fungal Disease Treatments by SavATree Insects & Diseases Submitted by Eleni Mitchell Photo Credit: Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Fungal diseases pose a serious threat to the health and beauty of your landscape. Anthracnose, apple scab, powdery mildew, and other fungal pathogens can weaken trees, cause premature leaf drop, and even lead to long-term decline if left untreated. At SavATree, our ISA Certified Arborists provide targeted fungal disease treatments to help your trees and shrubs remain healthy and vibrant for as long as possible. Signs of Common Tree Fungal Diseases Detecting fungal diseases early is key to preventing widespread damage. Your qualified arborist will look for the following symptoms: Leaf discoloration and spotting: Look for black, brown, or reddish lesions that expand and merge over time. Misshapen foliage: Infected leaves often become curled, puckered, or distorted as fungal infection progresses. Premature leaf drop: Trees shedding leaves before normal autumn cycles typically indicates fungal stress. Branch cankers: Sunken, discolored areas on branches or trunks that may ooze sap or display cracked bark often indicate fungal invasion. To effectively monitor for these diseases, ask your arborist to inspect both new and established foliage, paying particular attention to leaf surfaces, branch tips, and the overall canopy appearance. Understanding Fungal Disease Development Fungal diseases typically begin when spores land on vulnerable trees These are transported by wind, rain, insects, birds, or human activity. Infections often emerge or worsen during spring and early summer months, with poor air circulation, rainfall, dense plantings, and excessive shade creating ideal conditions for fungal growth. Trees already stressed by drought, poor soil conditions, or improper pruning are particularly susceptible to fungal infections. While some tree varieties possess natural resistance, established fungal infections typically require professional intervention, especially when multiple plants in a landscape show signs of infection. How Tree Fungal Disease Spreads Throughout the Seasons Fungal pathogens follow seasonal cycles that affect when and how you can best identify and treat them. Spring: The primary infection period for many fungal diseases. As new leaves emerge, they're particularly vulnerable to infection. Rainy spring weather creates ideal conditions for spore germination and infection. Summer: Symptoms become more visible as lesions expand and affected tissue dies. Secondary spread can occur during wet summer periods, particularly for powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases. Fall: Fallen leaves harbor fungal spores that can overwinter and reinfect trees the following spring. This makes proper fall cleanup crucial for disease management. Winter: Many fungi overwinter in leaf debris, infected twigs, or cankers. This dormant period is ideal for dormant oil applications and pruning of infected branches. When inspecting your trees, focus attention on areas with poor air circulation, dense foliage, or previous disease issues. Consider consulting with a certified arborist if you notice unusual leaf symptoms or branch dieback. Note: While most fungal diseases follow this general seasonal pattern, specific pathogens may have unique timing for infection and symptom development. Your SavATree arborist can provide guidance on the particular diseases affecting your landscape. Anthracnose: The Most Destructive Tree Fungal Disease Anthracnose is one of the most widespread and damaging fungal diseases. It affects a variety of shade trees but primarily attacks hardwoods, including dogwoods, oaks, maples, ash, birch, and elm. Signs of fungal infection are as noted above, including: irregular spotting on leaves, leaf cupping or curling, branch dieback, early leaf dropping, and cankers. While a single year of anthracnose infection rarely kills established trees, repeated infections over several years can significantly weaken trees and make them susceptible to other threats. Beyond Anthracnose: Other Common Tree Fungal Diseases While anthracnose affects many shade trees, other fungal diseases target specific varieties: Powdery mildew: Commonly affects crabapple, dogwood, oak, and lilac Tar spot: Primarily impacts maple trees Apple scab: Primarily affects apple and crabapple trees, causing olive-green to black spots on leaves and fruit Rusts: Typically found on apple, cedar, hawthorn, and juniper trees, creating bright orange-yellow spore masses on leaves and branches Needle cast: Specifically targets conifers such as pine, spruce, and fir trees This diversity of potential threats is why SavATree offers comprehensive management solutions to identify and treat a wide variety of tree diseases. Where to Find Tree Fungal Disease Treatment Near You If you're searching for "black spots on maple leaves," "tree leaves falling in summer," "tree fungus diseases treatment," or "how to treat leaf diseases on oak trees," SavATree's ISA Certified Arborists can help. The SavATree approach considers multiple factors for comprehensive disease management, including: Professional diagnosis to identify specific fungal pathogens Targeted treatments timed for maximum effectiveness Cultural practices that improve tree resistance Preventive care to reduce future infection risk Our certified arborists can assess your specific situation and discuss appropriate management strategies tailored to your landscape needs. Contact SavATree today to schedule a consultation and protect your trees and plants from the damaging effects of anthracnose and other fungal diseases. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.