Maple Tree Diseases

Maple trees are susceptible to numerous serious diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects. Because they are very common and popular garden trees, too many homeowners are unaware of the disease conditions that could kill their valuable trees unless they take proper action.

The root systems of all maples are shallow compared to other tree species and extend outwards over an extensive area. Because of these facts, maple tree diseases can be easily transmitted throughout large maple tree populations by just one diseased tree.

Maple tree diseases are a common problem for maple tree owners. There are several maple tree diseases, and they can all cause serious damage to your maple tree. In this guide, we will discuss the most common maple tree diseases, their symptoms, and how to treat them. We will also provide some tips on how to prevent maple tree diseases from occurring in the first place.

What are the dangers of maple tree diseases?

Tree diseases can cause a great deal of damage to your maple tree. They can kill your tree outright, or they can cause it to become severely stunted and unable to produce leaves or fruit.

Maple tree diseases can also make your maple tree more susceptible to pests and other problems. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the dangers of maple tree diseases and take steps to prevent them from occurring.

What are the most common maple tree diseases?

There are different types of maple tree disease that can affect the appearance of maple trees. If left untreated, maple tree disease will usually progress until the tree is no longer able to recover. Below, we have outlined the most common maple tree diseases, as well as recommended treatments.

Verticillium wilt

Verticillium wilt is one of the most common maple tree diseases. It’s caused by two soil-borne pathogens: Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae. The disease affects about 200 species of plants, including maples, magnolias and ash trees.

Verticillium wilt is a serious maple tree disease that affects the entire tree. The leaves will turn yellow and then brown, and in the later stages of the disease, they will die. The branches will also die, and eventually, the whole tree will collapse.

There is no cure for Verticillium wilt, so if your maple tree is infected, you will need to remove it and replace it with a new one. Prevention is key with this maple tree disease, so be sure to plant resistant varieties and keep your trees healthy by watering them properly and fertilizing them regularly.

Verticillium wilt is difficult to prevent because it lives in the soil. The pathogens enter the host through the roots and root hairs. Once inside the tree, they grow into the water-conducting vessels (xylem) and block the flow of water to the leaves.

Leaves turn yellow, starting at the edges and moving inward; they then dry out and fall off. In severe cases, leaves and branches on one side of the crown die first while those on the other side remain green. The diseased area eventually dies completely.

Bacterial leaf scorch

This bacterial disease primarily affects silver maples, causing yellowing between leaf veins and premature fall coloration. Infected leaves fall from the tree in mid- to late-summer, exposing branches to sunburn. Bacterial leaf scorch cannot be cured and will eventually kill the tree.

The best way to prevent bacterial leaf scorch is to plant resistant varieties of maple trees. You can also water your trees properly and fertilize them regularly to keep them healthy. If you do notice symptoms of bacterial leaf scorch, you should remove and destroy any infected leaves immediately.

Anthracnose

This fungal disease affects the leaves of all maples except boxelders. It’s most prevalent in late spring or early fall when days are warm and nights are cool. Anthracnose causes irregularly shaped brown spots on the leaves.

Eventually, the spots merge and kill the leaves. The best treatment for anthracnose is to remove fallen leaves from around the tree to reduce fungal spores. If you notice an anthracnose infection on your tree, prune out any infected branches if you can identify them and avoid over-fertilizing the tree.

It makes the leaves turn yellow and brown, and the fungus can also affect the bark of the tree. Pruning out diseased branches can help to control Anthracnose, and fungicides may also be needed to treat the infection.

This disease thrives in wet weather and overwinters in the tree’s twigs, causing the disease to reappear each spring. Symptoms begin on the lower branches of the tree then move upwards as the season progresses.

Powdery mildew

This is one of the most common maple tree diseases. It is caused by a fungus that affects the leaves of the tree, causing them to turn white or gray. Powdery mildew can also cause the leaves to curl up and drop off prematurely.

If you notice powdery mildew on your maple tree, you should remove any affected leaves and destroy them. You can also treat powdery mildew with a fungicide. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully.

Leaf spot

Leaf spot is another common maple tree disease. It is caused by a fungus that affects the leaves of the tree, causing them to turn brown or black. Leaf spot can also cause premature leaf drops.

To prevent leaf spot, you should rake up and destroy any fallen leaves. You can also treat leaf spot with a fungicide.

Tar spot

Tar spot is a fungal disease that affects Maple trees. The leaves will turn yellow and brown, and the fungus can also affect the bark of the tree. Pruning out diseased branches can help to control tar spots, and fungicides may also be needed to treat the infection.

Eutypa Dieback

Eutypa dieback is a fungal disease that affects Maple trees. The leaves will turn yellow and brown, and the fungus can also affect the bark of the tree. Pruning out diseased branches can help control Eutypa dieback, and fungicides may also be needed to treat the infection.

Root rot

This is a common Maple tree disease that can cause the death of your tree. The fungi responsible for root rot are typically found in wet or poorly drained soils. Symptoms of root rot include wilting leaves, yellowing foliage, and branch die-back.

If you suspect your tree has root rot, have a professional arborist assess your tree and recommend a course of treatment.

Cankers

A canker is a dead area on a tree’s bark caused by fungi or bacteria. Cankers on maple trees can be hard to see since they often start on the lower branches and work their way up as time goes by, but if you notice sunken, cracked, or discolored areas on your tree’s bark, it may have cankers.

Severely infected trees may experience dieback and eventually succumb to the disease. There is no cure for cankers, so affected trees must be removed and destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease.

What roles do insects play?

Insects can also cause maple tree diseases. The most common maple tree disease insects are the Japanese beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer.

The Japanese beetle feeds on the leaves of the maple tree, causing them to turn yellow and then brown. The Emerald Ash Borer is a wood-boring insect that infests maple trees, causing them to die from within.

Aphids: These tiny insects are typically found on the undersides of leaves and can cause a sticky residue known as honeydew to form. This residue can attract sooty mold.

Other signs of an aphid infestation include leaves that are curled, distorted or yellowing. You can prevent aphids from becoming a problem by keeping nearby weeds under control, since these pests often travel from weeds to maple trees. Aphids can be eliminated with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

If you suspect that your maple tree has been infected by an insect, you should contact a professional arborist for help. They will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend a course of treatment.

How can I prevent maple tree diseases?

There are several things you can do to prevent maple tree diseases from occurring in your garden.

First, be sure to plant resistant varieties of maple trees.
Second, water your maple trees properly and fertilize them regularly.
Third, rake up and destroy any fallen leaves.
Fourth, keep the area around your maple tree free of debris and weeds.
And finally, if you suspect that your maple tree has been infected by a disease or an insect, contact a professional arborist for help.

How can I treat maple tree diseases?

If you do notice symptoms of maple tree disease, it is important to take action right away. Depending on the severity of the disease, you may be able to treat it with a fungicide or by removing and destroying affected leaves. However, in some cases, the only solution is to remove and replace the infected tree.

It is also important to take steps to prevent maple tree diseases from occurring in the first place. You can do this by planting resistant varieties of maple trees, watering them properly, and fertilizing them regularly. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your maple trees stay healthy and disease-free.

Conclusion

Maple tree diseases are not easy to spot. With proper care, most maple trees can recover from disease and continue to thrive for many years.

If you think your maple tree may be sick, it is best to consult with a professional arborist or tree doctor. These experts can help diagnose the problem and recommend a course of treatment.