A rash of a disease known as anthracnose has made its way throughout Marshalltown, causing some concern among local residents.
The disease mainly affects maple trees and is caused by a fungus. Eventually, it could cause the leaves to die and fall off the tree. Some maples will even respond with a second batch of leaves, depending on the severity.
"It goes along with the type of weather we've been having and it usually does not hurt the trees," said Miriam Bryant, with the Iowa State University Extension Office in Marshall County. "It just makes them look bad for a while."
Anthracnose can develop especially during cool and wet springs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service. That weather is exactly the type experienced this year in Central Iowa.
The USDA also noted that just two to three consecutive days of temperatures in the 80s can kill the fungus as it is developing. However, once mature, the warm weather has little effect.
Treatment on large trees of often very difficult, according to the USDA.
Bryant recommends simply waiting over the winter. The probem usually clears itself up the next year, she said.
One person contacted the Times-Republican and reported problems with a pin oak tree and said there seemed to be a rash of problems with that species around the community as well. However, Bryant said those complaints have not reached the extension office.
"The oak trees - I haven't had a lot of inquiries," she said. "If people do have a concern, they can certainly call us or bring in an sample."Times Republican
