Black spots on maple leaves

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edenl01
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Black spots on maple leaves

Post by edenl01 » August 19th, 2018, 10:22 am

I’m posting about great granny’s old maple tree. I have no idea what flavor it is. I just know that the leaves are covered in black spots about 3/8” in diameter. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Thanks


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andy10917
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by andy10917 » August 19th, 2018, 10:33 am

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edenl01
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by edenl01 » August 19th, 2018, 10:56 am

Any better?
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andy10917
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by andy10917 » August 19th, 2018, 11:34 am

That's "Tar Spot". The good news is that the tree is not injured by the fungal disease, but it is ugly.

The treatment is easy (but labor intensive) if that is the only tree with the problem in the neighborhood. Just clean up ALL leaves in the Fall and dispose of them - the fungal spores blow in the wind and re-infect the tree in the Spring of the following year. Removing ALL leaves for 3-4 years breaks the cycle.

If, on the other hand the neighbor(s) have the same issue and they don't do the same thing, it will require an arborist to apply a fungicide in the Spring for a few seasons.

The disease starts off in June as tiny spots that you won't even notice - by August the ugliness is quite visible. There is nothing you can do at this point in the season, except start breaking the cycle for future years...

edenl01
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by edenl01 » August 19th, 2018, 11:39 am

Thanks. She lives next to a campground so I’ll have to check those trees out. I doubt the campground owners would engage in removing the leaves, but I’ll let her know they need to LEAVE the area. 🤣


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andy10917
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by andy10917 » August 19th, 2018, 11:47 am

Good. Maples (especially Norway maples) are about as common in my mostly-wooded area as rice at a chinese restaurant - that took 2 seconds of time for me to ID Tar Spot. My favorite tree on my property is a 70' Norway Maple with a 75' canopy. I like it so much it is named "Bertha". It is right next to a pretty "Crimson King" that gets no notice/respect from me - go figure.

Trent
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by Trent » August 31st, 2018, 7:23 pm

My neighbor has tar spot on a maple. The leaves from this tree drop in my yard will it do any harm to my soil or grass if I mulch these leaves.

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andy10917
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by andy10917 » August 31st, 2018, 9:42 pm

I have no idea whether the spores can overwinter in decomposed leaves.

Adadixon
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Re: Black spots on maple leaves

Post by Adadixon » May 4th, 2019, 1:22 am

If you are still confused, then better ask to some professional.

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