Maple Bushes Sick - Need Help

mystique

Hi,

We have several Maple bushes on our property, some are huge ~ 20 ft tall, others smaller. The last few years we've noticed the leaves are getting spots that look like red paint. The leaves look like they've been either partially dipped in red paint or have had it sprayed on them. I've seen articles about Tar Spots but that appears to be black spots and they say it doesn't harm the tree/bush. However, this is making the bushes look very sick. The leaves are getting smaller each year and the plants are obviously very sickly.

I can't find anything similar and I would really like to not only find out what this is, but what we can do to stop it and make them better again. I just hate to lose trees. Not sure if it helps but we are located in the NW corner of Montana - USA

Can anyone please help us?

kiwi_tree_steve

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"You have to feel and touch a tree" Shigo

pcarborist

It could be verticillium wilt.

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parkcityarborist

mystique

I didn't post pictures because here it is FALL and unfortunately, whatever is happening has already progressed to the point it has damaged the bushes pretty severely. But here are some pix of a few leaves that I found that haven't changed color yet.

Any advice as to what it is and how to treat or cure it would be greatly appreciated.

pcarborist

It looks like velvet, which is a native leaf fungus that native maples get. Are those canyon or Rocky Mtn maples (Acer glabrum)?

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parkcityarborist

mystique

I believe they are Rocky Mtn. How do we cure or treat them?