Maple Tree Diseases

Maple trees are considered the most varied and popular trees for landscaping. There are various types of maple trees and each of them has unique characteristics. Maple trees are used as lumber for construction and wooden furniture. The main feature of Maple trees that make them different from other trees is the shape of their leaves.

Maple Tree Diseases
Maple trees are susceptible to various diseases caused due to pests, insects and fungus. Each maple tree requires different soil and climate condition, hence to avoid diseases maple tree planting should be done using appropriate soil. If planted in the right soil, maple trees can resist diseases due to urban climate or environment. Let us have a look at different types of maple tree diseases.

Anthracnose
The scientific name of Anthracnose is Colletotrichum spp. It is a class of tree diseases, which are a result of fungi attack. Each of the anthracnose diseases affect only specific trees. Other than maple, this class of tree diseases, also affects other trees like white oak, elm and dogwood. In case of maple tree diseases, they affect the leaves and branches of maple tree. The disease leads to formation of purple brown spots along the veins and dark brown spots between or along the veins of the maple leaves. The disease is caused due to prolonged, cold and moist weather. The disease causes damage to buds, twigs and fall of the maple leaves. The cure to this maple tree disease, can be removal of the affected leaves, twig and branches. Fungicide is also one of the solutions, but needs the help of an expert.

Tar Spot
Tar spot is one of the most harmless maple tree diseases. These cause spots on the maple leaves due to fungal pathogens and are unsightly. The disease does not cause serious consequences to the health of tree, but creates ugly tar spots. The spots are initially yellow and gradually turn black in color. Norway maple, Silver maple and Sugar maple are usually affected by the tar spot maple tree disease. The upper surface of the leaves get affected in spring and may lead to the falling of leaves, before fall. Since the disease is not harmful, no treatment is usually recommended.

Maple Wilt
Maple wilt is also called Verticillium Wilt and is considered the most dangerous maple tree disease. Verticillium, is the fungus that is soil borne and has been responsible for killing several maple trees. The disease attacks the vascular system of the tree and many of the times, ends up killing the tree. There are no significant symptoms of the presence of the fungus in the soil and the fungus attacks the tree through the roots. The leaves of the trees affected by this disease are brown or yellow colored and the color of the sapwood of the tree is olive. The disease has the potential to destroy a well-grown maple tree and cutting off the tree is the only solution to this disease. This will avoid the spread of the disease to the other maple trees in the area. Norway maples are most susceptible to maple wilt. The other maple trees that are affected are Sugar maple, Japanese maple and Silver maple.

Sapstreak
Sugar maples are affected by the Sapstreak maple tree disease. It is a fungal disease, caused by fungus Ceratocystis coerulescens and can lead to serious damage to the Sugar maple. Initially, the disease is not serious, but if it grows further it can cause a serious threat to the maple tree. The wood fades and hence, the tree is not useful for lumber once the tree is affected by this disease. The only solution to this maple tree disease is to cut down the tree.

As prevention is always better than cure, protect you maple tree before it gets affected from any of the above-mentioned maple tree diseases. Good care of the tree is the only solution to prevent maple tree diseases. Water the tree regularly, use fertilizers and pesticides and in case of any infection, take immediate action by consulting an expert.