West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Returning to my last question about
Disease of sycamore trees, my research has revealed the culprit and it's not good news. Sooty bark disease is caused by the fungus cryptostroma corticale, the spores are dormant in the trees until hot weather germinates them. The trees may look healthy but when the bark looks like crazy paving and falls off they will be dead in a year. No cure.
Also care must be taken in dealing with dead trees as spores are allergenic and can cause pneumonitis. I don't know if it affects ornamental acers, more research needed.

• 10 Jul, 2019

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