Sycamore anthracnose is a disfiguring disease of sycamore and plane trees caused by the fungus Apiognomonia veneta.
Sycamore anthracnose can cause leaf drop, twig dieback, cankers, and death of the majority of a tree’s new growth. Cankers may form on small branches, causing cracking and sunken bark. The cankers do not usually kill the branch unless they’re located at the base and completely girdle it. On younger trees, cankers can form on the main trunk which can threaten the life of the tree, but established, mature trees are usually not at risk.
Symptoms of sycamore anthracnose normally develop as small spots or dead areas centered along the veins of leaves or along leaf margins. These spots may expand, killing more leaf tissue and causing premature leaf drop. Damage can be severe in prolonged wet, cool weather.