The tree in the backyard that blazes with red, orange and yellow foliage in autumn is most likely a maple. Norway maple tends to self sow and become weedy. In the spring the spores can reinfect the tree and spread the disease to other trees. Water trees during periods of drought. This is a much more serious disease that affects all kinds of maples, but Sugar Maple and Silver Maple are the ones most commonly affected. Maple trees are known for their brilliant fall color as well as the ease with which they bleed sap. To avoid the diseases, you should use appropriate soil for tree planting. Diseases of Trees in the Great Plains. However, there are several trunk rot diseases in … Promotes healing – We also advocate the removal of branch stubs to promote successful and proper healing of wounds. The shade and forest trees most often affected in Illinois are ash, elm, maple… Leaf Scorch: On maple (Acerspecies) trees a number of problems cause symptoms that are generally classified as leaf scorch. March 2000 Armillaria root rot or shoestring root rot is caused by Armillaria (Armillariella) mellea, a common and damaging soilborne fungus worldwide. Anthracnose [Trees and Shrubs] (Many genus and species involved) Phytophthora Canker, Basal Rot, & Root Rot [Shrubs and Trees] (Phytophthora spp. (Do not confuse the natural fuzziness of a sycamore leaf with this infection.) Some people refer to these leaves as having a "star" form or a maple-like silhouette. Maintain vigorous trees through proper care for continued enjoyment of your home garden sunset maples' vivid fiery fall color. Disease, pests, and problems. Signs of maple wilt include scorched-looking leaves and diseased branches with unhealthy leaves. Most have heard of Maple Syrup. These types of health conditions generally affect the leaves, producing unsightly leaf spots and barren tree limbs. Cankers in branches can girdle and kill the branch. Sycamore anthracnose can also overwinter in cankers on stems within the tree canopy. However, repeated infections can weaken trees. Repeated annual bud or twig dieback stimulates the development of many short twigs at the base of the dead twigs given the tree a “witches broom” appearance. > Common Tree Diseases Found In Central Illinois. Therefore, sanitation is important in minimizing the severity of the disease in the following year. Insects and Diseases that Threaten Chicago Maple Trees. The fungi that cause verticillium wilt affect the tree's vascular system and causes symptoms of wilting and yellowing leaves that are concentrated in one particular area. Scorch symptoms are light brown or tan dead areas between leaf veins or around the leaf margins. This is a fungal disease, and a good preventative measure is to rake up any dead or fallen leaves around the tree. Infected leaves develop small, irregularly shaped brown spots in the beginning of the growing season. The extent of the disease depends on weather conditions and the host plant. This causes the leaf to become distorted. Hardwood Leaf Diseases. While most trees are supposed to be pruned earlier in the year, that is when the maple tree is pumping sap. This assists in reduction of certain diseases. Sugar maples turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and bright red in the fall. In addition yearly infections can reduce growth and may predispose the tree to other stresses. While this is a common and unsightly shade tree disease, anthracnose is rarely fatal to a tree. Occasionally olive-colored streaks can be found in the sapwood. Fungal Disease. Maintain good tree health. This aids in tree establishment, promotes root growth, and heightens stress tolerance. The size of the tree varies by species, but they can grow anywhere from 18 to 80 feet. Bergdahl, aaron D., and Hill, alison, tech. Changing the soil pH around an established tree, however, is not a quick process. Fungicides must be applied before damage appears and the whole tree would need treated. Adapted to a wide range of soils and environments. Maple tree diseases need prompt treatment. Want an expert opinion on your maple? Anthracnose, which is a disease that thrives with cool spring temperatures and frequent rains, is most likely the. View up to date information on how Illinois is handling the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site Though sunset maple trees, often referred to as 'Red Sunset', are prized as the most successful red maple cultivar, issues may still arise. An exception is dogwood anthracnose. Maples are deciduous trees characterized by opposite leaf arrangement and spectacular fall color. There are several damaging maple tree diseases and pests. This is an aggressive disease that can cause permanent damage and death of dogwoods. They have a gray bark and a sensitive root system. Tar spot is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of a maple tree. There are many foliar diseases of hardwood trees, but chemical injury and insects can mimic some of these diseases. The causal factors are Verticillium albo-atrum or Verticillium dahliae, which are fungi found in the soil.This is a common and serious problem that can even kill established trees. This has been the perfect spring for this disease. The fungus spores will overwinter within the cankers. Boxelder - weak wooded, short lived weedy tree, gets boxelder bug. Anthracnose. So, what is causing this problem? Tree & Plant Care. Most of the infections occur in the two weeks following bud break. The species tendency to lose sap from wounds makes gardeners question the wisdom of pruning maple trees. The diseases cause tan to brown or black lesions on the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of various plants. The first step is to properly identify the problem. Twig blight refers to the death of 1 year old twigs. This maple is prone to girdling roots. Mature and established trees benefit from fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health. The wind carries them over a distance and some of them land on maple tree leaves. This particular fungus has three main phases in its life cycle: in spring, microscopic spores are released which are airborne. Once a tree has an Asian longhorned beetle infestation, it will generally die within 1 to 2 years. Tar Spot – This disease affects several maple species and causes large, tar-like spots on the leaves. Ash, Oak, Sycamore, Maple and Birch are a few of the tree species commonly affected by Anthracnose. A fact sheet on “Anthracnose diseases of shade trees can be found on the University of Illinois Extension website at http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd621/index.html . Like the maple tree, these species have leaves whose ribs or veins radiate out from a single stalk or petiole attachment in a palmate pattern (that is, the lobes resemble a set of fingers). This is well help us better tailor your experience. Infected leaves range from tiny dead spots to large circular or irregular dead blotches. Be sure to apply water slowly and deeply. Tar Spot. Maple tree disease is any one of a number of afflictions usually caused by a fungus that can either damage the tree’s appearance or eventually kill the tree. Red maple trees are popular but suffer from a number of problems. Tar spot is a fungal disease that causes a great deal of concern for home gardeners due to its appearance. A drive through any town or park in central Illinois and you will notice that most sycamore trees are void of any green leaves. Often confused with frost damage, signs of anthracnose include brown areas on leaves, canker on the trunk and main branches, and purplish-brown areas along the veins of the leaves. The fungi causes tan to brown to black lesions on the leaves, stems, flowers and fruits of various plants. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects many types of deciduous trees. Tree growth slows. Luckily, this disease is generally a cosmetic problem, rather than a real health issue for trees. Some of the most common are: Verticillium Wilt – Also called maple wilt, this fungus is a common and serious problem that can kill trees. [water molds]) Verticillium Wilt [Shrubs and Trees] (Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae) Wood Rots and Decays (Many genus and species involved) Herbicide Injury There are approximately 125 maple tree varieties, and each one has different characteristics and site requirements. Its important to learn how to prune maple trees and to … Pruning is the best way to maintain size while preserving (or even improving) your maple’s structure, vigor, and life-span. Unfortunately, maple tree tar spot is spread on the wind, which means that your tree can get reinfected next year if spores happen to hitch a ride on the right breeze. Red maple trees thrive in wet soil, and are also sometimes called swamp maples. As the disease and the season progresses, the … On sycamore and maple, infected areas often develop along the leaf veins and midribs, and expand outward to the leaf edge. The fungus overwinters within fallen leaves and twigs. Birches thrive at 6.5 or below. Newly planted maple trees will benefit from a root enhancer like ArborKelp®, SavATree’s exclusive seaweed biostimulant fertilizer. Soils with a pH below 6.7 seem ideal for red maples. The flowers are upright and green, yellow, or red in color depending on species, and the fruit appears in winged clusters which hold the seeds of this self-pollinating tree. Trees that have severe anthracnose infection and defoliate early may weaken. 2016. As the diseases can kill your precious tree, taking good care of the tree, before the fungi can lead to a deadly disease, is extremely important. Infections capable of killing these plants tend to attack a tree’s internal systems, invading via the roots. Their sap is also the source of maple syrup. To prevent reinfection, remove or bury all diseased plant parts. Anthracnose in maple trees is quite common. Some Common Diseases: Anthracnose Sooty mold Verticillium wilt Scorch Chlorosis Canker Wetwood Chemical injury Wood rot Root rot: Some Common Insects and Insect-related: Healthy, vigorous growing trees should quickly recover. Scorch symptoms tell us that one or more of the following factors are affecting the tree: 1. coords. Avoid pruning in early spring as maples are 'bleeders' and will lose large amounts of sap. ©2020 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | College of ACES |  Web Privacy Notice | EEO | Accessibility | Staff Login | myExtension, College of Agricultural Consumer & Environmental Sciences, http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd621/index.html, Serving Logan, Menard and Sangamon Counties, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This list includes sycamore, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum trees. This late-summer fungal disease is caused by fungi in the genus Rhytisma that is easily identified by its raised, black spots to develop on the upper surfaces of affected leaves. They’re known for their interesting branching structure, bright color, and year-round interest. The fungus grows from leaf tissue down the leaf petiole and into stem tissue. If this disease causes you stress, plant tree varieties that are resistant to anthracnose. This infection starts in the root system and works its way up the maple tree, resulting in cankers and dieback. If planted in the right place, a maple tree can live for 300 or more years! Anthracnose can affect most shade trees, most often affected in Illinois are ash, dogwood, elm, maple, oak, sycamore and walnut. Maples suffer from disease and pests too. Those are usually the symptoms of an unhealthy maple dealing with pests, water problems or diseases. Maples tend to have shallow root systems, which can lift walkways and driveways as they mature, so be sure to plant them appropriately. Maple Tree Diseases. Japanese maples are lovely ornamentals, meaning that they remain smaller in size. The maple tree family, or Aceraceae, is a family of more than 700 deciduous trees and shrubs. Some of the most common varieties include: Red maple trees have red blossoms in the spring, red fruit in summer, scarlet leaves in the fall and crimson bark and twigs in winter. The majority of maple tree diseases are purely cosmetic and don’t threaten the life of the tree. Heavily infected leaves often curl and drop prematurely, littering the ground. Most members of this family are relatively disease and pest free. There are several damaging maple tree diseases and pests. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. gen. Tech. From late winter to early spring is when maple trees are tapped to collect the maple sap which is then boiled down into syrup. But no maple should appear stunted, discolored, or covered with fungal fruiting bodies. The visual effect makes the tree look much sicker than it actually is. Asian Longhorned Beetle – This insect damages the sapwood beneath the bark layer, preventing the tree from properly transporting nutrients and water. Physiological leaf scorch is the most common. Learn how to recognize and prevent maple tree diseases. While maple trees can suffer from a number of general problems, verticillium wilt seems to be the most common and dangerous disease plaguing maple tree owners. If you suspect a problem with your trees, call an arborist right away for an evaluation and treatment options. Best Time To Trim Maple Trees. In the early spring, newly emerged leaf tissue of sycamores infected with cankers will suddenly wilt and turn brown. The extent of the disease depends on weather conditions and the host plant. Prevents disease – Broken, diseased, or dead branches are typically removed in order to prevent decay-producing fungi from infecting other areas of the tree. Defoliation depletes the energy reserve of the tree and increases its susceptibility to other pests and diseases. Thousands of trees in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have been lost to the invasive insect. Preventing Maple Tree Diseases & Pests. It is caused by dry … Contact us for more information on pruning or any of our other maple tree care services. Red Maple Trees: Common problems. There are several tree diseases and insects that threaten the health of maple trees across the Chicago area. Different fungi produce anthracnose on specific host plants. Depending upon the site, combinations of poor soil aeration, poor soil drainage, deicing salt damage, high temperatures at the site, drought, excavation damage, soil compaction, paving close to trees, verticillium wilt, and armillaria root rot weaken and kill the tree. Growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the species, the thin-barked, shallow-rooted trees are often attacked through wounds caused by yard maintenance. Thin out excessive twig and branch growth. Rake up and discard fallen leaves and twigs. “I recently traveled to Northern Illinois where nearly every Norway maple that I came across had tar spot symptoms,” says Travis Cleveland, a University of Illinois Extension plant pathologist. One particularly devastating maple tree disease is also known as maple wilt. Maple Wilt. Branch dieback progresses until much of the tree is dead. Other maple tree diseases and pests include: Many of these insect and disease conditions can weaken the tree and lead to tree death if not treated. Maple wilt seems to be most common in Norway maples but is also found in silver, sugar, red, sycamore and Japanese maples. Results from tar spot research on Norway maples in Canada suggested that one fungicide application, just prior to full leaf expansion, may provide sufficient control for this disease on Norway maples. Tree Service | Professional Tree Care | Lawn Care. Fertilize trees in the late fall to maintain tree vigor. Illinois soils usually have a pH of about 7.4. Occasionally the leaf margins are yellow or chlorotic. This infection starts in the root system and works its way up the maple tree, resulting in cankers and dieback. If possible, prune out infected twigs and branch cancers. Why raking up leaves under the maple is important for black tar spot. The cool, wet weather of spring often brings on the disease. cause. Maple Tar Spot Treatment Because of the way maple tar spot disease is transmitted, complete control of maple tar spot is virtually impossible on mature trees. Anthracnose is a common name given to a group of related fungal leaf and stem diseases. This hardy family is sun-loving, and each displays colorful and showy fall colors. If you’d like to establish maple tree varieties in your landscape, we can connect you with a vetted landscape expert who can help you purchase and plant new maple trees. Prune, water, and fertilize maple trees regularly to maintain optimal health. Mulch the root zone of the tree with a two to four inch deep layer of an organic mulch such as wood chips. It’s easy to recognize by the large black spots that look like tar on the leaves. The spores spread by wind and water to new growth. Each type of maple tree requires different soil and climate conditions. Generally fungicides are not recommended except for dogwood anthracnose. This has been the perfect spring for this disease. Supply 1 to 2 inches of water weekly during dry periods. The Asian long-horned beetle in particular is a huge threat to maple trees in Canada and the United States. Problems such as pests and diseases typically attack weakened maples. Learn more about the Asian longhorned beetle. Rep. RMRS-gTR-335. Anthracnose – This disease results in extensive defoliation, shoot dieback, and twig death. This is general cost prohibitive. Armillaria is used loosely to refer to a group of about 20 genetically distinct fungal species that can be distinguished most readily using serological techniques. Increases airflow – Removal of live branches is occasionally necessary to allow increased exposure to sunlight and circulation of air within the canopy. The latter two refer to the color of the mushroom fruiting structure of the fungus that can someti… Make sure trees have proper spacing for good air circulation. Grown for their beautiful foliage and the shade they provide, maple trees (Acer spp.) Some of the most common are: Verticillium Wilt – Also called maple wilt, this fungus is a common and serious problem that can kill trees. Most of the infections occur in the two weeks following bud break. Anthracnose can affect most shade trees, most often affected in Illinois are ash, dogwood, elm, maple, oak, sycamore and walnut. While the disease is pretty harmless, it makes for some ugly leaves. Return to Trees and Shrubs Agent Articles. One of the most common maple tree diseases is known as maple wilt. They are slow to establish, have poor branching structure and, most importantly, they are susceptible to long-term trunk injury or damage, which results in internal rot and decay. Pruning offers a host of benefits: Reduces storm damage – Pruning can reduce specific defects or structural problems in a maple tree to greatly lessen the risk of failure. Sugar - tolerates light shade, forest tree, moist well-drained soils, 60 - 120 feet tall. The tar spot seen on maples is caused by three related fungi, Rhytisma acerinum, R. americanum and R. punctatum. However, maple tree pruning is an essential part of maple tree maintenance. Maple trees will develop browning or the appearance of burnt spots on the leaves and streaks or discoloration on the bark. Michael Dirr, in Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, often lists the desired pH for trees and shrubs discussed. Tolerates pollution well. Find maple tree disease stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. The color of the lesions and symptoms of anthracnose vary depending on the tree species. struggle with several diseases. Common names for this group include oak fungus, shoestring root rot, honey mushroom, and honey agaric. Of course, these trees are susceptible to other problems as well. Foliar disease often is a function of weather and little can be done to prevent or treat the disease.