AMES - Although the drought conditions are grabbing headlines as it relates to crops and other plants - several diseases and insects are visible on trees across the state according to forestry officials.

"With our mild winter, early cool and wet spring and now with hot, humid and dry conditions, tree owners are seeing a variety of tree diseases and even insect problems," said Aron Flickinger, forest health forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

"This year our sycamores, white oaks and others have suffered from a non life threatening fungus known as anthracnose, that causes brown blotches on leaves and premature leaf drop," Flickinger said. "In addition, another two funguses, fire blight and apple scab, have been reported across the state on flowering pears and crabapples."

Flickinger said if tree owners have problems to consider using the services of the Plant Disease Clinic in Ames. "Although their main focus is for disease problems, they do have entomologists who can help with insect questions. This lab has different tools for analyzing problems that occur on Iowa plants throughout the year," Flickinger said.

To find out more information about problems your plants may be having right now visit the Plant Disease Clinic web site at www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/plantpath/pdcintro.html.

Reference materials can be found for the most common problems being submitted to the ISU Plant Disease Clinic this past week by visiting the following web sites.

For more information, contact Flickinger at 515-233-1161 or by email at aron.flickinger@dnr.state.ia.us or contact John Walkowiak, DNR forestry bureau chief at 515-242-5966 or by email at john.walkowiak@dnr.state.ia.us