Japanese maple disease? - Ask Extension
My Japanese maple— that seemed to be dying but has since sprung back to life in most spots, has patching of yellow along the bark. Can you please he...
Knowledgebase
Japanese maple disease? #871768
Asked June 05, 2024, 4:27 PM EDT
My Japanese maple— that seemed to be dying but has since sprung back to life in most spots, has patching of yellow along the bark. Can you please help me to identify the yellow patching and tell me if it is harming my tree? Thank you
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Stephanie,
Your Japanese maple seems to have lichen on the tree branches. Lichens are composed of two organisms, algae and fungi in a symbiotic relationship. They are harmless to the host on which they are attached. I’m attaching a bulletin about them from MSU Extension.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_lichens_and_what_are_they_doing_on_my_tree
Japanese maples are amazingly resilient and will not be hurt by the lichen.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
