Sooty Bark Disease
Cryptostroma corticale
45 host plants
Last updated
Data Coverage 3 of 6 dimensions
You'll notice sparse twig dieback and wilting canopy on stressed maples (especially Acer pensylvanicum), followed by tree decline or mortality. The fungus Cryptostroma corticale causes dark bark blisters with black spore masses. It spreads through drought-stressed trees and hot summers. Scout for early signs. Remove and burn infected trees immediately, avoiding summer pruning of healthy trees. Wear PPE when handling infected material.
Arborists and wood workers should wear PPE to avoid inhaling spores, keep spores out of their eyes and respiratory system when removing or working with infected trees. Scout landscapes, parks, and street trees for incidences of this disease.
Quick Reference
Causal Agent
Cryptostroma corticale
Host Plants
45
Management
Cultural Controls
- Arborists and wood workers should wear PPE to avoid inhaling spores, keep spores out of their eyes and respiratory system when removing or working with infected trees.
- Scout landscapes, parks, and street trees for incidences of this disease.
- Early detection will aid in overall control.
- Remove, cover during transport and burn infected trees.
- Removal during rainy months is suggested.
- Do not transport or save for firewood.
Host Plants (45)
Acer buergerianum Trident Maple, Three-toothed Maple Acer campestre Hedge Maple, Field Maple, Common Maple Acer capillipes Red Stripebark Maple, Red Snakebark Maple, Hakkoda Maple Acer carpinifolium Hornbeam Maple Acer circinatum Vine, Maple Acer coriaceifolium Leatherleaf Maple Acer crataegifolium Hawthorn, Maple Acer davidii David Maple, Père David's Maple Acer freemanii Freeman Maple, Hybrid Red Maple Acer ginnala Acer ginnala Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain Maple, Rock Maple, Douglas Maple, Dwarf Maple Acer glabrum var. douglasii Douglas Maple, Dwarf Maple, Rocky Mountain Maple Acer grandidentatum Bigtooth Maple, Western Mountain Sugar Maple, Rocky Mountain Sugar Maple Acer griseum Paperbark Maple Acer henryi Henry's Maple Acer japonicum Fullmoon Maple Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf Maple Acer maximowiczianum Nikko Maple Acer miyabei Miyabe Maple Acer monspessulanum Montpellier Maple Acer negundo Boxelder Manitoba Maple, Ash-leaved Maple Acer nipponicum Nippon Maple Acer oblongum Evergreen Maple, Smooth Leaf Maple Acer oliverianum Oliver Maple Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum Bosnian Maple Acer palmatum Japanese Maple Acer palmatum var. dissectum Dissected Japanese Maple Acer pensylvanicum Striped Maple, Moosewood Maple Acer pentaphyllum Acer pentaphyllum (no common name) Acer pictum Painted Maple Acer platanoides Norway Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Planetree Maple, Sycamore, Maple Acer rubrum Red Maple Acer rufinerve Redvein Maple, Honshu Maple Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Acer saccharum Sugar Maple Acer sempervirens Cretan Maple Acer shirasawanum Shirasawa Maple Acer spicatum Mountain Maple, Moose Maple Acer tataricum Tatarian Maple, Tartarian Maple Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala Amur Maple Acer tegmentosum Manchurian Stripebark Maple, Manchustriped Maple Acer triflorum Three Flowered Maple Acer truncatum Purpleblow Maple, Shantung Maple Acer velutinum Velvet Maple