What's wrong with my maple tree?

Golf.nut1 · 31st May 2009, 02:22 AM

I have a maple tree where the leaves are curling up with big patches of black on the leaves. What's wrong with my maple tree? I live near Saginaw, Michigan USA. We live up on a sandy hill and I've attached photos of the problem. The temperature has been slightly cool for this time of year (approx. 10 degrees below normal) with normal rainfall. Can you help?

Bob Tooley · 6th June 2009, 07:09 AM

Is this problem tree-wide, or confined in the lower levels..approx. 8' or so ? It almost looks like a herbicide burn with the placement of the decline and the stem and leaf curl... With some herbicides, the evaporating gases they give off from ground and grass applications, can burn the foliage above the treatment site... "Weed & Feed" is one that I've seen produce similar symptoms, but beyond that I'm at as much of a loss for an explanation as you are... sorry...

The only other thing it could be is a late frost problem, because the actions of death for herbicides and frost are almost identical...added this portion later, but I still don't know for certain...again,.. sorry.

Eric Frei · 6th June 2009, 08:20 PM

It's fungal disease.

Read this, you aren't too far away from this joint eh.

Area Residents Seeing Blackening Maple Leaves - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Quote:

Area Residents Seeing Blackening Maple Leaves
Posted: June 3, 2009 03:03 AM

Eau Claire (Press Release) - Many people in the Eau Claire area are noticing black blotches on maple leaves. The UW-Extension Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic has diagnosed this as a combination of two fungal disease problems, anthracnose and Venturia leaf blotch of maple. The cool, wet conditions seen in many areas of the state are providing excellent conditions for several leaf-infecting fungi to get established and cause problems.

For many trees, anthracnose is a cosmetic disease, making the tree look a little ragged, but not killing the tree. If however, a tree has been defoliated by anthracnose for several succeeding years, a fungicide for disease control may be warranted. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil, copper, dithiocarbamates, or mancozeb are registered for use against anthracnose. However, fungicide treatments are not recommended at this time. It is too late to do any good. For most products, three treatments are needed earlier in the spring for adequate control: one at bud break, one when leaves are half expanded, and one when leaves are fully expanded.

The bottom line on all of these diseases at this time of year is not to panic. Leaf diseases on maples tend to be cosmetic and good fall clean-up of fallen leaves can go a long way to help reduce the severity of these sorts of diseases. The University of Wisconsin Garden Facts on anthracnose which is available on-line at http://wihort.uwex.edu/gardenfacts/X1001A.pdf or through the Extension office provides details on this disease. Recommendations for control of Venturia leaf blotch are basically identical to anthracnose.

Bob Tooley · 6th June 2009, 10:49 PM

I initially thought of an anthracnose , but was looking at the posting date as a bit early for the leaf to show so much damage because their area hadn't gone into the warmer period necessary to kill the fungus naturally. We get it every year and our general leaf-portion death appears in late June, early July... As the article say's... it's cosmetic,

...and I've never bothered to do anything as a control, or treatment, but it certainly does panic a bunch of people...

Golf.nut1 · 7th June 2009, 03:54 AM

Thanks for the help. It's a relief to know it's not something serious.

31st May 2009, 02:22 AM	#1
Golf.nut1 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saginaw, MI Posts: 2	What's wrong with my maple tree? I have a maple tree where the leaves are curling up with big patches of black on the leaves. What's wrong with my maple tree? I live near Saginaw, Michigan USA. We live up on a sandy hill and I've attached photos of the problem. The temperature has been slightly cool for this time of year (approx. 10 degrees below normal) with normal rainfall. Can you help? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Garry Brockley; 31st May 2009 at 11:25 AM.

6th June 2009, 07:09 AM	#2
Bob Tooley Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scarborough, Maine USA Posts: 128	Re: What's wrong with my maple tree? Is this problem tree-wide, or confined in the lower levels..approx. 8' or so ? It almost looks like a herbicide burn with the placement of the decline and the stem and leaf curl... With some herbicides, the evaporating gases they give off from ground and grass applications, can burn the foliage above the treatment site... "Weed & Feed" is one that I've seen produce similar symptoms, but beyond that I'm at as much of a loss for an explanation as you are... sorry... The only other thing it could be is a late frost problem, because the actions of death for herbicides and frost are almost identical...added this portion later, but I still don't know for certain...again,.. sorry. Last edited by Bob Tooley; 6th June 2009 at 07:19 AM. Reason: additional

6th June 2009, 10:49 PM	#4
Bob Tooley Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scarborough, Maine USA Posts: 128	Re: What's wrong with my maple tree? I initially thought of an anthracnose , but was looking at the posting date as a bit early for the leaf to show so much damage because their area hadn't gone into the warmer period necessary to kill the fungus naturally. We get it every year and our general leaf-portion death appears in late June, early July... As the article say's... it's cosmetic,...and I've never bothered to do anything as a control, or treatment, but it certainly does panic a bunch of people...

7th June 2009, 03:54 AM	#5
Golf.nut1 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saginaw, MI Posts: 2	Re: What's wrong with my maple tree? Thanks for the help. It's a relief to know it's not something serious.

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