Black dots on the leaves - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have noticed leaves on my driveway that have an odd appearance. They have black dots on them--some are not black but pale. They are from my...
Knowledgebase
Black dots on the leaves #877355
Asked July 15, 2024, 4:37 PM EDT
Hello,
I have noticed leaves on my driveway that have an odd appearance. They have black dots on them--some are not black but pale. They are from my maple tree.
1. What are they?
2. I am assuming they are hurting the tree. Is that correct?
3. How do I get rid of them?
Thank you!
Chester
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Chester,
Leaf symptoms like spotting and minor deformities (bumps, swellings, etc.) don't usually hurt the health of a tree and can be ignored. We can't see the symptoms pictured well enough to identify them since the photos are too small. Can you please resend or retake photos that are at least 1MB in file size?
Miri
Leaf symptoms like spotting and minor deformities (bumps, swellings, etc.) don't usually hurt the health of a tree and can be ignored. We can't see the symptoms pictured well enough to identify them since the photos are too small. Can you please resend or retake photos that are at least 1MB in file size?
Miri
Hello Miri,
Thank you for your email. I have attached better copies of my photos.
Are you able to see the spots/bugs?
Thanks for your help!
Chester
Thank you for the larger photos. They appear to be galls caused by mites, a common phenomenon on maples and a variety of other trees and shrubs. Maple Bladdergall Mite is the usual culprit for this style of gall; the rounded nodules can start out green, may turn red, and can age to black. Despite being an eyesore, management is not needed and they don't significantly impact the health of the tree. Usually we see them on the upper surface of the leaf, not the lower surface, though even if this were another type of gall due to that difference, no intervention is needed.
Miri
Miri
Hi Miri,
Thank you so much! That is quite a relief as I was worried the spots would hurt the tree.
I have another unrelated question and I am not sure if should ask you or should I make a request through the website.
I'll ask it now and if I should go to the website just let me know.
I have discovered that I have vine like weeds growing from my yard into and up the very pretty fir/pine trees of my neighbor. (Please see the attached photos) I contacted a tree man and he will cut the and remove the vines from my side and then that should kill the ones on my neighbors (so I think); he thinks it would be better to pull them off the neighbors trees and I am concerned that the pulling will hurt their trees and might be better to let the vines die by cutting them on my side. He wouldn't of course touch their trees without their permission but I wanted an expert's opinion.
Thanks for all of your help!
Chester
Hello Chester,
The vines are only rooted into the ground, so yes, once cut off and disconnected from the roots, the top portions will wither and die, having no source of water or nutrients. Ideally, to avoid shading the foliage of the evergreens further (heavy shade will cause them to shed needles in those areas which will not regrow), and to avoid the undesirable aesthetic of brown vines clinging to the branches for weeks or months afterwards, the vine remnants should be removed from the evergreens if the neighbor allows it. The evergreens are Arborvitae.
The vine is either one of our several species of native Wild Grape, or a look-alike invasive also related to grape called Porcelainberry. The linked pages provide information on how to tell the two apart (if flowering or fruiting, they will be easy to separate, but with foliage alone, it's harder): Mistaken Identity - Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-Alikes. (Porcelainberry is on page 28 of the publication, though a PDF viewer might list it as page 32. A comparison to grapes is on the page immediately following it.)
Wild Grapes provide good wildlife value, but can be vigorous spreaders in home garden settings, so are best left to more natural areas. Porcelainberry, being invasive, should always be removed if found.
We prefer that additional questions unrelated to the original question thread be sent in new submissions, which makes it easier to track the conversations and scroll through any photos and discussions to the current topic, but you can do either.
Miri
The vines are only rooted into the ground, so yes, once cut off and disconnected from the roots, the top portions will wither and die, having no source of water or nutrients. Ideally, to avoid shading the foliage of the evergreens further (heavy shade will cause them to shed needles in those areas which will not regrow), and to avoid the undesirable aesthetic of brown vines clinging to the branches for weeks or months afterwards, the vine remnants should be removed from the evergreens if the neighbor allows it. The evergreens are Arborvitae.
The vine is either one of our several species of native Wild Grape, or a look-alike invasive also related to grape called Porcelainberry. The linked pages provide information on how to tell the two apart (if flowering or fruiting, they will be easy to separate, but with foliage alone, it's harder): Mistaken Identity - Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-Alikes. (Porcelainberry is on page 28 of the publication, though a PDF viewer might list it as page 32. A comparison to grapes is on the page immediately following it.)
Wild Grapes provide good wildlife value, but can be vigorous spreaders in home garden settings, so are best left to more natural areas. Porcelainberry, being invasive, should always be removed if found.
We prefer that additional questions unrelated to the original question thread be sent in new submissions, which makes it easier to track the conversations and scroll through any photos and discussions to the current topic, but you can do either.
Miri
Thank you so much! You have been a great help!
Chester
You're welcome!
