Knowledgebase
Disease spread #868846
Asked May 17, 2024, 10:30 AM EDT
Chester County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
None of these issues are likely related. How does the canopy of the maple look, generally healthy? The black on the trunk is sooty mold, which is harmless. It's an indication that insect feeding happened. Have you had spotted lanternflies in the past? If so, this is likely from that. See this fact sheet about sooty mold: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/sooty-mold
The maple leaves look like they have fungal leaf spots, which are largely harmless and just an aesthetic issue. Raking up and disposing of the leaves at the end of the season will lessen the disease pressure next spring.
The cherry also looks like it has a fungal leaf spot disease, which can be managed similarly. It's unlikely it's the same fungus that's affecting the maple, as these diseases are generally host specific. Keep an eye on the trees, and unless there's dieback, I wouldn't worry about the leaf spots causing harm.
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On May 20, 2024, at 11:12 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: