Sugar Maple leaf - Ask Extension
I have a young sugar maple that I'd like to give to a friend. The leaf has both white spots and black spots on it though. Is this tree still healthy...
Knowledgebase
Sugar Maple leaf #921397
Asked November 04, 2025, 2:19 PM EST
I have a young sugar maple that I'd like to give to a friend. The leaf has both white spots and black spots on it though. Is this tree still healthy?
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Cindy,
A couple of questions to help me understand the full situation. How tall is the sapling?
Do all the leaves have these spots and discoloration?
Are the other leaves still attached, or did they already fall off?
Is the trunk discolored, or losing bark in any way?
Generally I do think the tree is just fine, and wanted to double check on the variables above before making a conclusion.
Thank you, Cindy!
-Julie
A couple of questions to help me understand the full situation. How tall is the sapling?
Do all the leaves have these spots and discoloration?
Are the other leaves still attached, or did they already fall off?
Is the trunk discolored, or losing bark in any way?
Generally I do think the tree is just fine, and wanted to double check on the variables above before making a conclusion.
Thank you, Cindy!
-Julie
Hello Julie and thanks for your response!
The sapling is about 6' tall.
All of the leaves are discolored and spotty.
About half of the leaves have fallen.
The trunk looks good. (I've attached a close-up of the top of the tree and a photo of the rest of the tree - and the little sugar maple sapling next to it, too.)
I dug them up about a year ago but in all honesty, didn't water them as much as I should have this summer.
Thanks again!
Cindy
On 11/05/2025 2:05 PM EST Ask Extension wrote:
Thank you for the additional images, Cindy!
Tree looks healthy, buds are plump and ready for next year! All looks good. Leaf issues are temporary (annual) and not indicative of any long lasting disease.
Thank you,
-Julie
Tree looks healthy, buds are plump and ready for next year! All looks good. Leaf issues are temporary (annual) and not indicative of any long lasting disease.
Thank you,
-Julie
Thank YOU, Julie.
I'll give the trees to my friend who will take better care of them than I.
BTW - we've planted 18 trees at my church the last two years. All are good but a couple of them are in need of pruning. Any recommendations?
On 11/05/2025 3:22 PM EST Ask Extension wrote:
I would recommend hiring a certified arborist to help with the pruning. Arborists are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA. They maintain a website that makes it easy to find a certified professional.
treesaregood.org
Thanks, Cindy!
-Julie
treesaregood.org
Thanks, Cindy!
-Julie
