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white spots on bark of sugar maple tree #764530

Asked July 29, 2021, 2:43 AM EDT

Hi! I have a sugar maple tree that I planted 21 years ago. The leaves are usually big and have a bright red color in fall typically mid to late Oct. The tree has been healthy up until last year, around July when I noticed that it started to get white spots on the bark of many branches. It was hit with hail from storms in 2017 and 2019 which did pit some of the branches, but I wouldn't think this would cause the white spots. Then around Aug 2020, some leaves appeared to be drying up and by mid Sept, the tree turned red and leaves fell...this was a month earlier than in previous years. Also the leaves seemed much smaller in size. Now this year, the tree did produce many helicopter seeds in spring but it really doesn't look healthy as in past years. The white spots seem to be on more branches and the tree is not as full and leaves are much smaller. Just this week, some of the leaves have started to turn yellow and are drying before they fall. Also the smaller branches seem to be dying and breaking off. The soil is sandy-type soil and I do have sprinklers that typically run every odd day for about 25 min in this zone. I'm attaching a couple of pics. I would appreciate any help and suggestions to get the tree healthy again. Thank you for your time!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

The spots on the tree are most likely lichen.  They are not harmful.  The other signs-small leaves, turning fall colors and dropping leaves/small branches-are most likely due to drought conditions.  

Watering the tree until the ground freezes will help, but may not reverse the symptoms caused by the high dry temps.

Lichens: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/maple/branchespatches.html

Drought:

https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources-news/avoid-pruning-drought-stressed-trees


https://extension.sdstate.edu/trees-drought-stress

MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied August 02, 2021, 1:31 PM EDT
Thanks Mary for the info!
 
I also have another question.  I have an Autumn Blaze Maple tree that I planted 21 years ago.  I planted it 25 ft from the house thinking that would be enough distance.  I noticed the last few years some of the roots are close to the surface or above ground and a couple of them I can feel are about 2 feet from the house.  They are about 2-3” in diameter at the end that I can feel.  I’m wondering if I should do anything like cut the end of the root so they don’t continue to grow and do damage to the block foundation…or is it okay to just leave and foundation would be okay too?
 
I appreciate your help and advice!  Thank you!
 
Sincerely,
 
Larry



From: Ask <<personal data hidden>>
To: Larry <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Monday, 2 August 2021 12:31 PM CDT
Subject: Re: white spots on bark of sugar maple tree (#0034461)

The Question Asker Replied August 04, 2021, 11:55 AM EDT

It’s difficult to say if they will be a problem. If the basement has cracks in the wall or foundation, it is possible that the roots will invade those.  Maples trees have rather shallow roots so seeing a few above ground is not unusual.  Cutting one or two should not be a problem.  See:  https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/question-can-tree-roots-cause-damage-to-a-homes-foundation/

MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied August 04, 2021, 4:20 PM EDT

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