Ceratocystis coerulescens (or virescens) - Ask Extension
Hi guys & gals: I "worked" for you for 20 years in the Grants Pass Extension Office. I now live in Issaquah WA where my neighborhood/association i...
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Ceratocystis coerulescens (or virescens) #400623
Asked May 17, 2017, 4:32 PM EDT
Hi guys & gals: I "worked" for you for 20 years in the Grants Pass Extension Office. I now live in Issaquah WA where my neighborhood/association is experiencing Sapstreak Disease on a number of Red maples (Acer rubrums). Photos submitted are for an Acer rubrum. I need corroboration of the fact that it occurs on other than the economically important Sugar maple in order to mitigate said trees with volcanoes of mulch around them and injuries to their roots and root collars. ~Helen Bell, '92 OSU State MG of the Year
King County Washington
Expert Response
Hello Helen:
I do not see this pathogen listed as a pest of maple in the PNW Disease Management Handbook. The most common disease problem I see on Red Maple around here is anthracnose (Discula sp. and Kabatiella apocrypta), which cause leaf spots and defoliation. In a spring as wet as this we would expect to see more than the usual amount of this disease. Affected leaves tend to fall from the plant, which would lead to a diminished canopy. I can't really tell from the photos what the symptoms on these plants are, but I include the link to the discussion of anthracnose, in case this is helpful. In any case, please feel free to write directly with more information and additional pictures.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-anthracnose
Thanks!
I do not see this pathogen listed as a pest of maple in the PNW Disease Management Handbook. The most common disease problem I see on Red Maple around here is anthracnose (Discula sp. and Kabatiella apocrypta), which cause leaf spots and defoliation. In a spring as wet as this we would expect to see more than the usual amount of this disease. Affected leaves tend to fall from the plant, which would lead to a diminished canopy. I can't really tell from the photos what the symptoms on these plants are, but I include the link to the discussion of anthracnose, in case this is helpful. In any case, please feel free to write directly with more information and additional pictures.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-anthracnose
Thanks!
'Nice to know you're still in there with Extension, Neil. You'd see the typical lesions of the disease if you could blow-up the photos... injured root and root collar and the literally exploded branches and areas of the trunk. This was about 4 years ago, and now, given our "landscapers" volcanoes around the bases of trees had spread through root collar wounds into the trees that are dying. I know what it is Ag has only taken note of the disease in the more value based Sugar maples which, of course are regularly wounded for the sap. I use to do that with my Grandpa in New York. 'Feelin' guilty. Does OSU still do lab testing for diseases? ~Helen Bell
Hello Helen:
Yes, the Plant Clinic still does that but given that you are in King County, the WSU Extension Service is at your disposal.
http://extension.wsu.edu/king/
And WSU has their own plant clinic as well:
https://puyallup.wsu.edu/plantclinic/
I'd suggest contacting one of these two agencies given your location.
Yes, the Plant Clinic still does that but given that you are in King County, the WSU Extension Service is at your disposal.
http://extension.wsu.edu/king/
And WSU has their own plant clinic as well:
https://puyallup.wsu.edu/plantclinic/
I'd suggest contacting one of these two agencies given your location.
