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Sycamore Pests: A Guide to Major Insects, Diseases, and Air Pollution

Informally Refereed

Abstract

This booklet will help nurserymen, forest woodland managers and homeowners to identify and control pest problems. Major insects and diseases are illustrated. Brief mention is made of other pests of local or sporadic concern. A list of registered chemical controls is included. This list is subject to change as new chemicals are approved. Revisions will be made available, periodically. Be aware of the preventive measures available to you. Stress is mentioned in the following pages as a problem that complicates or precedes attacks by insects and diseases. Protect your trees from the stress of an unfavorable environment. Plant your trees on good soil. Assure that sufficient water, nutrients and sunlight are available for vigorous growth. Avoid stress from accidental injuries to your trees by taking care to prevent cuts, bruises, or torn limbs when you are working around your sycamores. Take prompt remedial action to control insects or diseases as soon as they are discovered. Stress from attack by one pest raises a tree's susceptibility to attack by other insects and diseases. For further information, contact your State Forester, county agent. or the nearest office of State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, USDA. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) grow on a wide range of soil types. They can grow on wet or dry soils, but the best growth occurs on alluvial soils along rivers and minor stream bottoms. Natural stands of sycamore are found on the East Coast westward to the 100th meridian and between latitudes of 27 to 42. They appear in the northern part of Florida along stream bottoms and are found in the southern part of Maine, Vermont. and New Hampshire. Natural stands of sycamores occur in all States except Minnesota within the boundaries described above. In the South, they are an important component of natural stands, an important plantation species, and are commonly used as fast growing ornamental species. Insects and diseases are continual threats to sycamores. Although most sycamore pests cause little or no mortality, they reduce growth and mar the tree's beauty. Cankers cause problems in localized areas. The danger may be intensified in large plantings which support a rapid build-up of damaging agents.

Keywords

blight, callus, canker, conk, coppice, frass, generation, larva, life cycle, nymph, parasites, predators, pupa, pupate, saprophyte

Citation

Filer, T. H.; Solomon, J. D.; McCracken, F. I. [and others]. 1977. Sycamore Pests: A Guide to Major Insects, Diseases, and Air Pollution. USDA-Forest Service, Southeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 36 p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/43168