Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Ahead of Print
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • All Issues
  • Contribute
    • Submit to AUF
    • Author Guidelines
    • Reviewer Guidelines
  • About
    • Overview
    • Editorial Board
    • Journal Metrics
    • International Society of Arboriculture
  • More
    • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Alerts

User menu

  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Ahead of Print
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • All Issues
  • Contribute
    • Submit to AUF
    • Author Guidelines
    • Reviewer Guidelines
  • About
    • Overview
    • Editorial Board
    • Journal Metrics
    • International Society of Arboriculture
  • More
    • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Alerts
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Research ArticleArticles

Incidence and Management of Canker Stain in London Plane Trees in Modesto, California

Ed Perry and Arthur H. McCain
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) January 1988, 14 (1) 18-19; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/joa.1988.14.1.18
Ed Perry
Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, 733 County Center III, Modesto, California 95355 and Plant Pathology Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94 720
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Arthur H. McCain
Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, 733 County Center III, Modesto, California 95355 and Plant Pathology Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94 720
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

London Plane trees in Modesto, California, are seriously threatened by canker stain, a fungus disease that has destroyed many plane trees in the eastern and southern United States. Current efforts to prevent the spread of the disease in park and street trees include the experimental use of the fungicide thiabendazole. Chemical disinfection of tools is also used when pruning plane trees. In some cases, healthy trees bordering infected trees are removed to prevent disease spread by root grafts.

Canker stain, a disease caused by the fungus Ceratoycystis fimbriata f. platani has killed thousands of London plane trees (Plantanus X aceńfolia) in northeastern United States since about 1926 (4). The disease has long been known to destroy plane trees in southern United States as well (3). More recently, canker stain was identified as a serious threat to American sycamores (P. occidentalis) in the Midsouth (6).

In California the disease appears to be confined to Modesto, a community in the San Joaquin Valley. Canker stain was detected by us in 1961 from 35-to 45-year-old London plane trees growing as city street plantings in Modesto. The fungus, C. fimbriata, was pathogenic to London plane and California sycamore, P. racemosa.Since then, the disease has spread to 28 areas in parks and along streets and has destroyed some 600 mature trees.

Both London plane and American sycamore are grown in Modesto, and both have been equally affected. There is no obvious resistance to the disease by American sycamore as has been suggested (7). Symptoms are typical for the disease: trees show sparse foliage and undersized leaves (5); infected trees are often killed in a single summer; however, declining trees in Modesto do not develop trunk and limb cankers as often as do trees in the East (5).

Plane trees in Modesto street plantings are killed in rows as reported for other areas (4), suggesting that root grafts are involved in the spread of the disease. It has been shown that canker stain may spread from tree to tree through root grafts (1). Nitidulid beetles, which are common in the Modesto area, have also been implicated in the spread of the disease (7).

Canker stain also is spread mechanically, and City of Modesto tree crews thoroughly disinfect pruning tools with Lysol Aerosol Spray Disinfectant (contains o-phenyl phenol 0.10%, N-alkyl (C18 92%, C16 8%)-N-ethyl morpholinium ethylsulfates 0.03%, alcohol 67.75%, inert 32.2%) after use on each plane tree, regardless of whether the trees are diseased. Pruning and other maintenance of street and park trees is done almost entirely by city crews, limiting mechanical spread of the disease. Private tree crews under contract to prune trees beneath utility lines are also advised to disinfect pruning tools. However, trees in landscaped areas may be injured and possibly infected by lawnmowers and other tools used around the trees by homeowners or, more seriously, by professional gardeners who service a number of yards throughout the city. Also, construction crews repairing sidewalks, curbs and utilities near trees may cause injuries that result in infection.

Despite the City of Modesto’s efforts in containing canker stain by means of sanitation and rapid removal of infected trees, the disease continues to spread at an alarming rate. Because of the serious threat to the entire plane tree population in Modesto, an overall management strategy is being considered. This strategy includes chemical and cultural control techniques.

Current Tests

We are currently evaluating the effectiveness of the fungicide Arbotect 20-S [2-(4-thiazoyl) benzimidazole hypophosphite 26.6%, equivalent to 20% thiabendazole], in preventing the spread of the disease. Arbortect 20-S is currently federally registered for use in controlling Dutch elm disease as well as anthracnose in sycamores. Thiabendazole is effective in preventing growth of C. fimbriata f. plantani (2).

Ten mature (45 year old) London plane trees have been injected with Arbortect 20-S and 10 are being used as untreated controls in a paired design. The trees were apparently noninfected at the time of the injection, but growing within 100 m of canker stain infected trees. Treatments consist of injecting trees with Arbotect 20-S at the rate of 80 fl. oz of a 1 % thiabendazole solution per 5 inches of trunk diameter (6 ml/l mm trunk circumference).

One-quarter inch diameter injection holes are drilled into test tree trunks at 5 inch intervals around the trunk circumference. The holes are drilled 1 inch deep and placed approximately 24 inches above the ground. The fungicide is injected into trees at 70 p.s.i. using compressed air and a system which delivers the diluted chemical from a reservoir through rubber hoses and ¼ inch diameter threaded nozzles.

Test trees were injected August 30, 1984, and again on September 4, 1985. Additionally, 13 trees were injected in October 1986 for observational purposes. Our plans call for injecting additional trees in 1 987.

In some cases, Arbotect 20-S injections are being tested in conjunction with the removal of apparently healthy trees which border diseased trees in an attempt to disrupt root grafts which may spread canker stain. Healthy trees are then isolated and chemically protected. As this technique adds significantly to the cost of the control program, it is considered only as a way of protecting very valuable stands of plane trees, such as in parks. A vigorous public awareness program is being used to educate homeowners in the necessity of removing the apparently healthy trees.

Discussion

The future use of Arbotect 20—S for controlling canker stain of sycamore will depend upon its proven efficacy and its EPA registration for that use.

Present costs for Arbotect 20-S injections are estimated at $34.65 per tree, including labor and materials. If effective in the long run, this expense is justifiable when considering present landscape tree values. Mature plane trees growing in Modesto parks have an estimated value per tree of $2,925. Plane trees growing as City of Modesto street trees are valued at $1,828 per tree. These values are based on an average dbh of 21 inches.

In the future, a public awareness program may also be used to stress the importance of avoiding the wounding of plane trees, particularly in neighborhoods where the disease is prevalent. Private gardeners must also be made aware of the disease and encouraged to sanitize equipment when working on plane trees.

  • © 1988, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.

Literature Cited

  1. 1.↵
    1. Accordi, Sergio Mutto
    . 1986. Diffusione di Ceratocystis fimbriata f. platani attraverso le anastomosi redicali. Inf. Fitopat. 11/86:53–58.
    OpenUrl
  2. 2.↵
    1. Davis, Jr., S.H. and
    2. J.L. Peterson
    . 1973. A tree wound dressing to prevent spread of the Ceratocystis causing canker stain disease of the plane tree. Plant Dis. Reptr. 57:28–30.
    OpenUrl
  3. 3.↵
    1. Fowler, M.E.
    1939. Ceratostomella (Endoconidiophora) on plane trees. Plant Dis. Reptr. 23:154–156.
    OpenUrl
  4. 4.↵
    1. Hepting, G.H.
    1971. Diseases of Forest and Shade Trees of the United States. U.S. Dept. Agr. Handbook 386. 658 pp.
    OpenUrl
  5. 5.↵
    1. Marshall, R.P. and
    2. A.M. Waterman
    . 1948. Common diseases of important shade trees. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bull. 1987. 53 pp.
  6. 6.↵
    1. McCracken, F.I. and
    2. E.C. Burkhardt
    . 1977. Destruction of sycamore by canker stain in the midsouth. Plant Dis. Reptr. 61:984–986.
    OpenUrl
  7. 7.↵
    1. Pirone, P.P.
    1978. Tree Maintenance. 5th ed. Oxford, New York. 587. pp.
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
Vol. 14, Issue 1
January 1988
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Arboriculture & Urban Forestry.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Incidence and Management of Canker Stain in London Plane Trees in Modesto, California
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Arboriculture & Urban Forestry web site.
Citation Tools
Incidence and Management of Canker Stain in London Plane Trees in Modesto, California
Ed Perry, Arthur H. McCain
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) Jan 1988, 14 (1) 18-19; DOI: 10.48044/joa.1988.14.1.18

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Incidence and Management of Canker Stain in London Plane Trees in Modesto, California
Ed Perry, Arthur H. McCain
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) Jan 1988, 14 (1) 18-19; DOI: 10.48044/joa.1988.14.1.18
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Bookmark this article

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Current Tests
    • Discussion
    • Literature Cited
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Hardscape of Soil Surface Surrounding Urban Trees Alters Stem Carbon Dioxide Efflux
  • Literature Review of Unmanned Aerial Systems and LIDAR with Application to Distribution Utility Vegetation Management
  • Borrowed Credentials and Surrogate Professional Societies: A Critical Analysis of the Urban Forestry Profession
Show more Articles

Similar Articles

© 2023 International Society of Arboriculture

Powered by HighWire