This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Cornus anthracnose
Helen Rimmer
Posts: 2
Hi, I have an 18 month old cornus kousa on the centre of my front garden which appears to have this fungal disease. The leaves are dropping off and many branches are bare. My garden designer has suggested that I scrub the pimples on the bark with soap & water! Does anyone have a suggestion on how to deal with it. If it is a long term solution am thinking of cutting my losses & replanting a new tree. Can anyone suggest a type of tree which would be resistant to this fungal disease and still give me three seasons interest?
0
Posts
The RHS has an article on Cornus Anthracnose but it is not encouraging. The only permitted fungicides are not guaranteed to work. Scrubbing the pimples sounds like a very bad idea as it would only spread the fungal spores even further!
Replacing the tree seems to me like a more viable option. Worth thinking about are: Rowan - pretty leaves that colour in autumn, white flowers, choice of size and berry colour
Crabapple - spring blossom, choice of colours, differing sizes and shapes, autumn fruits and coloured leaves in some varieties, the crabapples vary in colour from yellow to bright red.
Amelanchier, a tall shrub that can be grown as a tree - has bronzey leaves in spring , pretty white flowers, colours up in autumn. Reputedly has berries (must have, a bird gave me mine!) but I have never seen any, the birds get them first!
Betulus Jacquemontii - no flowers or berries but a beautiful graceful tree that goes golden in autumn and has stunning white bark, lovely in winter. Doesn't cast heavy shade.
Thanks for that. I suspected planting a different tree is the best option. Thanks for your ideas.