Brown blush on Maple leaves - Ask Extension
One of my Autumn Blaze maple trees has this brownish blush on nearly all the leaves and it looks like some of the leaves are dying. Anything I can do ...
Knowledgebase
Brown blush on Maple leaves #873757
Asked June 19, 2024, 10:44 AM EDT
One of my Autumn Blaze maple trees has this brownish blush on nearly all the leaves and it looks like some of the leaves are dying. Anything I can do to help?
Benzie County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello John
Can you give us a little more information?
History of the tree— how long has it been planted? Type of soil? Do you know the soil pH? Does the area ever flood? Is it in full sun(greater than 8 hours per day)? Are lawn sprinklers hitting the leaves( if do what time of day do sprinklers run?)
Were any fertilizers or other products applied within a couple hundred feet of the tree this year?
Please attach a picture of the whole tree showing all the crown down to the base of the trunk.
And, one picture of several leaves turned over so we can see the backs.
Can you give us a little more information?
History of the tree— how long has it been planted? Type of soil? Do you know the soil pH? Does the area ever flood? Is it in full sun(greater than 8 hours per day)? Are lawn sprinklers hitting the leaves( if do what time of day do sprinklers run?)
Were any fertilizers or other products applied within a couple hundred feet of the tree this year?
Please attach a picture of the whole tree showing all the crown down to the base of the trunk.
And, one picture of several leaves turned over so we can see the backs.
To add pictures, click the link in your email and go into your question on the website.
Click the “Drop files here or choose them” below the response box to attach them.
You can upload .jpg, .png, .gif, .txt, or .pdf.
NOTE- each picture must be 8mb or less.
I know this is a lot of questions, but this information will be helpful to our tree expert. I will watch for your reply.
Full sun
About 3-4 years old
No lawn sprinklers
No fertilizer
No flooding
Not sure on PH but it’s sandy soil
Just put on slow drip water bags yesterday
Additional pics
Additional pic
Hi John,
Thank you for the additional pictures.
Glad you added the slow watering bags, and drought stress could be part of the problem.
I suspect iron chlorosis is also an issue, caused by a high soil pH. When the pH of soil is over 7.5, it becomes alkaline, and the macronutrients, like iron, that are necessary for photosynthesis. You can read all about iron chlorosis in the article at the link below:
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/iron-chlorosis-trees
You can test the soil pH with a simple kit from any garden or hardware store. The article lists several recommendations for how to lower soil pH to a more acceptable level for the tree.
For the long term health of the trees, I would also suggest doing a soil test for all nutrients in the yard. MSU Extension offices sell soil test kits for $26; the price includes postage. Or you can purchase them online at the link below:
https://shop.msu.edu/products/soil-test-mailer
If you have questions along the way, please do feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
-Julie
Thank you for the additional pictures.
Glad you added the slow watering bags, and drought stress could be part of the problem.
I suspect iron chlorosis is also an issue, caused by a high soil pH. When the pH of soil is over 7.5, it becomes alkaline, and the macronutrients, like iron, that are necessary for photosynthesis. You can read all about iron chlorosis in the article at the link below:
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/iron-chlorosis-trees
You can test the soil pH with a simple kit from any garden or hardware store. The article lists several recommendations for how to lower soil pH to a more acceptable level for the tree.
For the long term health of the trees, I would also suggest doing a soil test for all nutrients in the yard. MSU Extension offices sell soil test kits for $26; the price includes postage. Or you can purchase them online at the link below:
https://shop.msu.edu/products/soil-test-mailer
If you have questions along the way, please do feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
-Julie
