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What is happening to my maples?

last year

Every year, early fall my red maples get a disease/fungus. The leaves really suffer so we don't get good fall colors on the affected trees. The trees leaf out normally in the spring and the cycle continues. Any thoughts as to what this is and if there's any systemic treatment? Thanks!

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Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Looks like maple tar spot. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/tar-spot/
Glen Cove
Original Author
last year
Thanks. That does look like it. I appreciate the reply.
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BillMN-z-2-3-4
last year
last modified: last year
And those in the pictures are not 'Red Maples' (Acer rubrum).

Could they possibly be Acer platinoids (Norway maple)?
arbordave (SE MI)
last year
Appears to be a sugar maple, and I'm thinking the disease is probably Phyllosticta leaf spot rather than tar spot.
Glen Cove thanked arbordave (SE MI)
Glen Cove
Original Author
last year
@arbordave (SE MI), I appreciate the reply. Is there a systemic treatment I can use next spring/summer to help prevent this from happening?
BillMN-z-2-3-4
last year
Here is some information on the subject:

https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/digital-diagnostics/plant-diseases/phyllosticta-leaf-spot-of-ornamentals.html
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Neither of the two leaf spots mentioned is particularly harmful to the tree, both being more a cosmetic/aesthetic issue. So treatment is optional and generally not required. And since the spores of both can overwinter on fallen leaves, raking and disposal of all leaves will go a long way in retarding their development next season.

And I am not convinced about the phyllosticta :-))
Glen Cove
Original Author
last year
Reading about it and I see that raking leaves and disposing of them is mentioned. I live in a heavily wooded property and it's not really practical to do that.
bengz6westmd
last year
last modified: last year
This happens to my sugar maples every year to varying extent in late summer/early fall. Really nothing you can do, and tho somewhat unsightly, doesn't really hurt the tree.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
there is no need to 'treat' deciduous trees in october ..

and since both are surface diseases of leaves.. i highly doubt there would be any systemic [interior] control ... but i could be very wrong with that ...

you dont mention.. or i missed.. . where you are.. is this an endemic problem in your area.. you should probably contact your COUNTY extension office for some local guidance ... and then report back to us .....

ken

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