Mature maple becoming leggy - Ask Extension
Hello,
We have a couple of maples, maybe too close to each other, 2 different varieties. The south maple is becoming leggy and may also have tar spot...
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Mature maple becoming leggy #872152
Asked June 08, 2024, 8:31 AM EDT
Hello,
We have a couple of maples, maybe too close to each other, 2 different varieties. The south maple is becoming leggy and may also have tar spot. Could the tar spot (if thats what it is) be causing the branches to be bare except at the top? What is the best treatment?
Thanks for any help.
Clinton County Michigan
Expert Response
Your two trees look healthy other than a few open spaces in the top of the tree on the left in your picture. I don't see any brown or dead leaves or even dead branches in that area...just bare spots. That could be because a couple of limbs fell or or were blown off during a wind storm, even years ago.
I see no sign of tar spot on the leaves. The little round bumps on the closeup of the leaves are created by galls. Tiny insects and mites cause these galls, which are very common and do not damage the tree. They are nothing to worry about. Galls come in all shapes and colors and sizes. To get an idea, see the link below:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/leaf-galls.html?gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm7ue3-DMhgMVlU7_AR1OHAHsEAAYAiAAEgJtNvD_BwE&sortBy=relevant&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google
In the case of maple tar spot, the leaves would actually show spots and blotches of black areas. Tar spot is a minor fungal disease, another very common issue with maple trees, and again, not generally damaging to the tree. Fungal diseases are transported by wind and rain, so if your neighbor's tree contracts tar spots, likely yours would too. If you tree had tar spot, it could cause leaves to fall, but you would see them lying on the ground. Please see the information in the link below:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/525
If you are still concerned about your trees, the best thing to do is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your tree and make recommendations regarding the health of the tree and any needed judicial pruning. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages.
I see no sign of tar spot on the leaves. The little round bumps on the closeup of the leaves are created by galls. Tiny insects and mites cause these galls, which are very common and do not damage the tree. They are nothing to worry about. Galls come in all shapes and colors and sizes. To get an idea, see the link below:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/leaf-galls.html?gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm7ue3-DMhgMVlU7_AR1OHAHsEAAYAiAAEgJtNvD_BwE&sortBy=relevant&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google
In the case of maple tar spot, the leaves would actually show spots and blotches of black areas. Tar spot is a minor fungal disease, another very common issue with maple trees, and again, not generally damaging to the tree. Fungal diseases are transported by wind and rain, so if your neighbor's tree contracts tar spots, likely yours would too. If you tree had tar spot, it could cause leaves to fall, but you would see them lying on the ground. Please see the information in the link below:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/525
If you are still concerned about your trees, the best thing to do is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your tree and make recommendations regarding the health of the tree and any needed judicial pruning. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages.
