This disease affects Populus spp (poplar and aspen) and is more of a forestry disease than a landscape problem. However, with poplars growing in landscapes during prolonged wet weather, it can be a problem. Marssonia betulae causes anthracnose on birch trees and Marssonia thomasiana causes anthracnose on bittersweet.   

Symptoms

The spots/blotches on the foliage are brown. Badly infected leaves can turn all brown by midsummer (July) and be defoliated by August. Severe defoliation may cause the tree to leaf out again. The tree uses up part of its food reserves and becomes more prone to other diseases. In addition, late emerging new growth may not hardened off sufficiently and therefore may be prone to winter die-back. Badly defoliated trees tend to produce less new wood during the next one to two years.  

Life Cycle

The fungus overwinters in the dead leaves or infected twigs. Spores are released in spring and cause infection as leaves emerge. Leaves on lower branches tend to be infected first and infection spreads upwards through the growing season.  

Management

There is no practical control/management for this disease in a forest setting. In the home landscape, follow good sanitation practices.