prize as a shade tree diagram across much of the United States , the sycamore tree can reach up to 100 feet marvelous . These trees feature characteristic dappled bark of white , tan and brownish colors , and large , hand - regulate leaf . Several disease affect plane tree , some of which may lead in the eventual expiry of the tree . Use of chemic treatments and practicing preventive method will avail oppose diseases and keep plane tree tree diagram healthy .
Anthracnose
The most serious disease affecting sycamore , the fungous disease anthracnose , typically occurs during periods of nerveless , wet weather condition . The likeliness of an irruption of this disease increases when average temperature hover below 55 degrees F after the egression of bud in the spring . The symptom of anthracnose are often false for Robert Frost damage . During the first stage of the disease , the tips of immature sycamore twigs die before new leaves issue . In mid fountain , buds die , trace by the death of raw shoots . In the final stage , leaves crinkle and turn brown and eventually fall down from the tree diagram . Sycamore trees may lose all of their leaves several times during the growing time of year . If leave behind untreated , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may pass away from reduplicate defoliation . Dispose of fallen foliage to prevent the spread of the disease and prune back any diseased branches . Disinfect your pruning shear between each cut with rubbing alcoholic drink . Once buds seem , spray young Tree with fungicides moderate chlorothalonil , thiophanate - methyl or copper every seven to 14 sidereal day to preclude irruption of the disease . If a new set of leaf appears after the first curing has knock off , utilize fungicide again , especially if term remain wet and cool . debate growing more disease - resistant sycamore , such as the London plane motley .
Powdery Mildew
If grow in funny , wet areas , powdery mold may affect new maturation on platan tree diagram . The spores of this fungus appear as a bloodless or gray pulverisation on parting and twig . If untreated , small while of the fungus will uprise and merge to form a layer that covers the leaves . Small black spots that give up the disease to over - winter may appear in the former summer . Purchase products labeled to treat powdery mold and apply accord to the label instruction .
Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Insects such as leafhoppers channel bacterial leaf scorch to sycamore trees after feed in on the xylem fluid of master of ceremonies works . Sycamore trees affect by bacterial leaf scorch display chocolate-brown leaves that often coil upwards but do not accrue from the tree diagram . The disease first affects older leaves on a branch , before moving to newer leaf and finally killing the entire branch . This disease can not be preclude , but removal of infected limbs will extend the life history of the tree . Prune back diseased branches with sharp , sterilize pruning tools . Once a pregnant act of subdivision have succumbed to the disease , remove the tree and replace it with a tree not susceptible to bacterial leaf singe . Antibiotic injectant will suppress the symptoms of the disease if apply once a class , but will not cure it . The wounds caused from injecting the tree with antibiotic may allow for the entry of other disease or pests .
