These are some of the major diseases that impact the health of Kentucky's forests.

Dogwood Anthracnose
(Discula destructiva):

Dogwood anthracnose is a disease that attacks flowering dogwood and is caused by an unknown pathogen. Anthracnose infection begins in the leaves, causing irregular, blotchy patches on the leaf surface, and spreads to twigs and branches.
 
Once infected, the branches die back to the main stem, resulting in cankers. The cankers will eventually cause tree death. The extent of the disease is directly related to the conditions  where the tree is growing. Dogwoods that are growing in very shady and moist areas are more at risk. For more detailed information about dogwood anthracnose, please visit the link http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_dogwd/ht_dog.htm.

Annosus Root Rot
(Heterobasidion annosum):



Annosus root rot can attack all pine species in Kentucky, but prefers loblolly, eastern white and shortleaf pines. The fungus attacks the root system of the tree and usually doesn't show many above-ground problems until the root system is extensively infected. The rot weakens the tree and bark beetles will follow up and often attack eventually killing the tree.

Fruiting bodies of the fungus (conks), resembling mushrooms, are often found at the base of the dead or damaged tree. Conks have a leathery texture and are brown with white edges and usually seen from December through March. The rot below ground is white and very stringy. The fungus lives in the soil and usually only affects trees that are already stressed.  For more detailed information about annosus root rot, please visit the link http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/annosus/fidl-ann.htm.

Oak Decline:

 

Oak is one of the most valuable timber and urban species in Kentucky. Unfortunately, many of our oaks are stressed and showing warning signs of oak decline.

Oak decline may occur from a combination of several undesirable environmental conditions, including drought, air pollution, construction damage and poor soil conditions. The warning signs are slow in appearing: smaller-than-normal leaves, thinning crown and dead limbs.

Tree death can result after several years of decline. In an urban area, planting the tree in the right site would lessen the chances of oak decline.  For more information about oak decline, please visit the link http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/oakdecline/oakdecline.htm.

Sudden Oak Death
(Phytophthora ramorum)

Sudden oak death was first detected in California and Oregon, where the disease has killed thousands of tanoaks and other oak species. The disease is caused by a fungus-like organism. Susceptible hosts include tanoaks, Andromeda, rhododendron, coast live oak, canyon live oak, California black oak, Shreve's oak, California bay laurel, mountain laurel and camellia.

In Kentucky, it is anticipated that all species of oak will be susceptible to this disease, including white oak, northern red oak, bur oak, pin oak, scarlet oak and black oak. Symptoms on mature trees include bleeding red cankers on the main trunk. Foliar symptoms include leaf spots. For more detailed information regarding Sudden Oak Death, please visit the U.S. Forest Service Web site http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/pest_al/sodeast/sodeast.htm