Red dots on maple leaves - Ask Extension
Hello,I have a maple tree in my backyard that was transplated about 7 years ago. This year (first time I recall seeing it), there are many tiny red ...
Knowledgebase
Red dots on maple leaves #131996
Asked June 04, 2013, 9:56 AM EDT
Hello,
I have a maple tree in my backyard that was transplated about 7 years ago. This year (first time I recall seeing it), there are many tiny red dots covering the leaves. Please see the picture. Can you help me to identify what it is, and what to do about it? Thank You!
Dan
I have a maple tree in my backyard that was transplated about 7 years ago. This year (first time I recall seeing it), there are many tiny red dots covering the leaves. Please see the picture. Can you help me to identify what it is, and what to do about it? Thank You!
Dan
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
The red dots are maple bladder galls. These galls may be unattractive, but they do not affect the health of a tree, so no control is recommended.
Learn more here (check maple bladder gall):
http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/eseries3/view.php?article=articles/galls_on_shade_trees_and_shrubs.txt&id=§ion=Landscape%20and%20Ornamentals
Learn more here (check maple bladder gall):
http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/eseries3/view.php?article=articles/galls_on_shade_trees_and_shrubs.txt&id=§ion=Landscape%20and%20Ornamentals
Thank you so much for the reply! Is it likely to continue year after year? I read the link and it appears the mites spend winter in cracks in the tree bark, and oil application in the spring might help. But, if I do nothing, will it get better/worse/the same next year?
If you do nothing, the numbers might be more, fewer or the same in years to come. Nature will take its course and that's often unpredictable.
