Raking and disposing of fallen leaves will reduce the chance of infection in the following season. Since this disease is usually not a serious problem for the health of the trees, chemical controls are usually not necessary. Anthracnose, Glomerella cingulata. Leaves and new growth appear blighted early in the season, and wood may be killed back for a short distance. Pustules formed on dead leaves and wood produce pink masses of spores.
Control is by pruning and removing infected twigs.
Since this disease is usually not a serious problem for the health of the trees, chemical controls are usually not necessary. Symptoms can be similar to those associated with leaf blotch and anthracnose but are caused by drought injury and poor tree vigor. Water trees thoroughly during dry periods in the summer and fall, and fertilize in the early spring to improve tree health. Insect Problems Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica . This beetle, in the adult stage, feeds upon a great variety of trees and plants, including horsechestnut.