First report of Cryptostroma corticale in Ireland
Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent of sooty bark disease of sycamore, is reported for the first time from Ireland. It was detected in samples of symptomatic Acer pseudoplatanus collected in Phoenix Park in Dublin in September 2024. The identify of the fungus was confirmed by morphological and molecular tests. This disease is spreading in the EPPO region (EPPO RS 2023/211, RS 2024/091) and outbreaks are favoured by climate change.
Sources
Byrne T, Gregan D, Flanagan D, Riebesehl J, Rathore DS (2025) First report of Cryptostroma corticale causing sooty bark disease of sycamore in Ireland. New Disease Reports 51(2), e70038. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.70038