Maple Tree Dropping Leaf and Seed Clusters - Ask Extension
We live in Ada Michigan. For the second or third year in a row our large Maple tree is dropping clusters of leaves and seeds. Otherwise the tree appea...
Knowledgebase
Maple Tree Dropping Leaf and Seed Clusters #867654
Asked May 08, 2024, 6:58 PM EDT
We live in Ada Michigan. For the second or third year in a row our large Maple tree is dropping clusters of leaves and seeds. Otherwise the tree appears healthy. Any ideas? I’ve attached a few images showing the stem and also what might be insect eggs or fungus attached to the underside of the leaf.
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Dell
The growth on the leaves are galls caused by tiny insects and mites. They do not harm the tree. Maples can have many types of galls. Here are some details. https://extension.psu.edu/leaf-galls-on-maple
The example of the broken end looks like squirrel damage. Some theories are that the squirrels are rebuilding nests with fresh material and sometimes eat the maple seeds. In this process they drop a lot of what they bite off the tree. Again, this will not harm a healthy tree. (see picture of bitten ends)
The growth on the leaves are galls caused by tiny insects and mites. They do not harm the tree. Maples can have many types of galls. Here are some details. https://extension.psu.edu/leaf-galls-on-maple
The example of the broken end looks like squirrel damage. Some theories are that the squirrels are rebuilding nests with fresh material and sometimes eat the maple seeds. In this process they drop a lot of what they bite off the tree. Again, this will not harm a healthy tree. (see picture of bitten ends)
