Bother some leaf spots - Ask Extension
As we were investigating our garden we decided to also check out this tree next to it and found red spots. From what I know about plants I'm lead to b...
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Bother some leaf spots #868949
Asked May 17, 2024, 6:13 PM EDT
As we were investigating our garden we decided to also check out this tree next to it and found red spots. From what I know about plants I'm lead to believe a bug cut into the leaf to lay eggs? Can this be identified by the spots alone and what can we do to help this tree
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Based on your image, I Identified this tree as a Silver Maple. The leaf has strange protrusions that may be galls or disease galls.
Galls on Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) leaves are typically caused by mites or insects and are generally not harmful to the tree. Treatment is often not necessary, but if you wish to manage the galls, here are some recommendations based on information from educational sites:
Preventive Treatment: Apply horticultural oil at the dormant rate before bud break in the spring. This can help prevent mites from causing galls. More information at this link:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-and-shrub-galls/
Physical Removal: For young trees or small infestations, you can handpick the damaged leaves to reduce mite populations. More information at this link:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maple-gall-mites-eriophyidae/
Chemical Control: READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL. If you decide to use chemical treatments, miticides applied at leaf expansion can prevent galls. However, once the galls have formed, the mites are protected within, and sprays will not be effective. More information at this link:
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=153
It’s important to note that these treatments may not always work, and in most cases, galls do not affect the overall health of the tree. More information at these links:
https://extension.psu.edu/leaf-galls-on-maple
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maple-gall-mites-eriophyidae/
Remember, the health of the tree is usually not at risk due to galls, and treatment is often more cosmetic than necessary.
I hope this helps!
Based on your image, I Identified this tree as a Silver Maple. The leaf has strange protrusions that may be galls or disease galls.
Galls on Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) leaves are typically caused by mites or insects and are generally not harmful to the tree. Treatment is often not necessary, but if you wish to manage the galls, here are some recommendations based on information from educational sites:
Preventive Treatment: Apply horticultural oil at the dormant rate before bud break in the spring. This can help prevent mites from causing galls. More information at this link:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-and-shrub-galls/
Physical Removal: For young trees or small infestations, you can handpick the damaged leaves to reduce mite populations. More information at this link:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maple-gall-mites-eriophyidae/
Chemical Control: READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL. If you decide to use chemical treatments, miticides applied at leaf expansion can prevent galls. However, once the galls have formed, the mites are protected within, and sprays will not be effective. More information at this link:
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=153
It’s important to note that these treatments may not always work, and in most cases, galls do not affect the overall health of the tree. More information at these links:
https://extension.psu.edu/leaf-galls-on-maple
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maple-gall-mites-eriophyidae/
Remember, the health of the tree is usually not at risk due to galls, and treatment is often more cosmetic than necessary.
I hope this helps!
