Sooty bark disease is a fungal disease affecting trees. It is associated with fungi that can colonise the bark and produce dark, soot-like fungal growth.

It can become particularly damaging when trees are stressed by environmental conditions.

Key Pointers

  • Category: Environment / Plant Pathology
  • Affects trees.
  • Characteristic: dark/sooty appearance on bark.
  • Associated with fungal infection.
  • Tree stress can increase vulnerability.
  • Factors such as:
    • Heat
    • Drought
    • Climate stress
      may contribute to disease susceptibility.
  • Can weaken affected trees and create hazards from falling branches or trees.

Prelims Focus: Sooty bark → fungal disease → tree health → environmental stress.