Hi, Jeffrey!

It would be very helpful to have pictures; without I'm just taking a wild guess. You should be able to upload photos when responding to this email. (We are not allowed to share personal phone numbers for texting.) It is helpful to have pictures of the whole tree, closeup of affected branches and closeups of the leaves (front and back) on the affected branches. Also take a close look to see if there are any insects, swellings or other abnormalities on the affected branches. If you can't attach all the photos on one email, feel free to send several emails.

I will look forward to looking at the pictures you send and to answering your question. Although the question may be temporarily marked as "closed", rest assured that when you respond the question will be re-opened and will come directly to me.

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Hi, Jeffrey! Yes, I received your photos. Thank you.

I am researching your question. Can you tell me, is your tree located near large fields (farms, golf courses, parks, etc.)  Also, you mentioned having branches removed in 2022. Did the damage look similar to this? Did it occur at this same time of year? Are you seeing it on one side of the tree or on a variety of places? Is it happening on new growth, or on older branches as well? 

Sorry for so many questions. I am trying to narrow down the problem. Tell me anything you observe. I will do my best to find a cause for your tree problem.

Hello, Again, Jeffrey! I hope you had a good Memorial Day Weekend.

I’ve researched your question as far as I can with the information you have provided. Unfortunately, there are too many possible causes for the problem you describe in your query, including (but not limited to) wind/mechanical injury, maple decline, Anthracnose, and pH level issues. I would need more detail from you to continue.

I am including several research-based articles at the end of this response. They might help you self-diagnose your maple tree problem.

Alternately, you could engage the services of a certified arborist. This article from The Ohio State University will help guide you. Certified arborist is an important distinction. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1032

Another option is sending a sample of your plant, either digitally or physically, to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic at Ohio State. You will find more information here. https://ppdc.osu.edu/submit-sample

Finally, if you would like to send additional information to me along with “head to toe” photos (in-focus & from top to bottom) of the tree from front and back, I would be more than happy to reopen this ticket. You can respond to this email and it will come directly to me. 

BTW, I received two responses from you in the past two days, both of which were blank. If you sent a response (after the photos and question as to whether I received them), your response did not go through. 

If you choose to have me reopen the ticket, please include as much information as you can think of and be sure to answer the questions I posed. And include those photos. I asked them to try to zero in on the cause of your issue. If I cannot, I will escalate your problem to another expert.

I wish you the best of luck in restoring the health of your tree, and I am happy to help.

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Resources

Common Maple Problems UMass https://www.umass.edu/urbantree/factsheets/23commonmapleproblems.html

Maple Fact Sheet Clemson Extnsion https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/maple/

Maple Decline Various Factors Cornell - College of Agriculture http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/mapledecline.pdf

Red Maple https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/red-maple

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Hi, Jeff!  My apologies that your 5/27 response did not come through. I truly appreciate that you were willing to re-send.

Could I ask for two more photos and a little more information?

Photos: a top to bottom photo of the tree from the south and another from the north, if possible. (If you sent these in your first set of photos, they did not come through. Again, apologies.)

Information: 1) Are there any farms or fields near you, that is, within a couple miles. 2) Can you guestimate the age and/or height of the tree?

I promise that I am not putting you off. I'm concerned about your tree. I might need to escalate your very excellent question to another expert, and I want to be sure I have full and accurate information.

I am traveling this week, but I will be sure to watch for your response and to reply as soon as possible.

One more question. What lies north of your property, beyond the surrounding woods. Is there water runoff from that direction?

What I meant to ask in the last question was what lies SOUTH of your property, beyond the surrounding woods, on the side of the tree where you see the most damage. Sorry ... I was on the road and didn't edit as carefully as needed.

Thank you for your patience, Jeffrey.

I am going to escalate your question to another expert. They will see all the photos you sent and be able to read our exchanges. You will either hear from them or me shortly.

I would still like to see a photo of the entire tree. Only closeups came through.

I would also like to know if there are any farms, open fields or golf courses within 2 miles. 

Both of these would be of help.