Maple Tree Diseases
Information on Maple Tree Diseases
Many home owners have learned the hard way that, along with the majestic beauty and elegance of the maple tree, diseases may also be a factor when including the trees in their landscape.
There are several different types of maple tree diseases of which a tree owner should be aware. Quickly recognizing symptoms of the different ailments will result in faster treatment. Faster treatment can prevent the disease from spreading to nearby trees and may actually save the life of the affected tree. Sapstreak, tar spot, anthracnose and maple wilt are the four main diseases a maple tree owner may encounter.
Sapstreak is a fatal disease affecting sugar maples. When this disease is detected, there is no other recourse but the elimination of the tree by cutting it down at once to avoid contaminating and infecting other sugar maples. Sapstreak, like many maple tree diseases, is a fungal one; beginning at the crown of the tree. Leaves at the top will appear to be much smaller, less dense than those lower on the tree, and bald spots will likely begin to form. The disease will work its way down the tree as it progresses; evidenced by the presence of a radiating pattern in the trunk that can be seen when cut.
Maple tree wilt is a disease that starts in the root system of the tree. Caused by a fungus in the soil, this is the most common among maple tree diseases. Sadly, it is generally fatal to the tree, and can spread to neighboring trees. The first indication will be leaves with a scorched appearance, and streaks in the sapwood or bark. An expert can confirm the disease by examining the streaks. Some well established trees have been known to survive this disease by cutting back any diseased limbs and watering well during recovery.
Maple tree diseases are not all catastrophic. One relatively harmless disease that causes some unsightly trees is called tar spot. Big black splotches will appear on leaves of the tree; the result of a fungus that exists on fallen maple leaves during the winter then spreads to new leaves in the damp spring. Since tar spot is not considered to harm the tree, no treatment is usually necessary.
Anthracnose is a disease caused by a group of fungi, and is a condition that commonly occurs after an abnormally cool and wet winter. The disease will affect buds and any existing leaves, along with immature branches. Normally, after one incident, the tree will recover without lasting harm. If it occurs repeatedly, however, the attacks will leave the tree more susceptible to other problems. Once the disease has been identified, remove any limbs, twigs and leaves that have been targeted by the disease and burn them. If the disease returns, a consultation with an expert would be advisable.
Anytime that any of these maple tree diseases is suspected, quick confirmation may be able to help the tree to overcome the infection as well the surrounding trees. Consulting with an expert, such as the local county extension service, may be just the thing to save your maple tree.