Dogwood Spot Anthracnose: Symptoms and Spring Prevention

Identification

Tiny purple spots on leaves, twisting, and disfigurement indicate spot anthracnose. Some trees are affected while neighbors' aren't—a common gardening mystery.

Impact

Healthy trees tolerate it well. Heavily infected leaves drop in June, replaced by new growth. It's not the deadly Discula destructiva blight.

Prevention for Next Year

• Rake and destroy all fallen leaves this fall.
• Next March, spray weekly with chlorothalonil (Daconil) until late April.