Japanese Maple Trees are known to be ornamental, and they bring stunning beauty to just about any landscape. But, what happens when the leaves start to develop spots? Does this mean that the tree is diseased or can it be saved? Your tree care experts in Kingsport at Promier Tree are here to explain what these spots mean, and what you can do about it.
First, let us differentiate between the different types of spots you may see on your tree:
Brown spots usually are an indicator of a leaf fungus known as leaf spot, especially if the spots are in a circular form. Another type of leaf disease that attacks Japanese Maples is anthracnose, which presents itself more in a free-form style of spots. In the beginning, either of these spots may seem insignificant, only affecting the aesthetics of your tree. However, severe cases of leaf disease can cause the leaves to fall off prematurely.
White spots or patches is probably due to powdery mildew that results in a dusty growth all over the top of the leaves. Similar to the brown spots mentioned above, white spots may cause the leaves to fall off as well, known as defoliation. If, however, you find white fuzzy patches on the tree’s trunk, it is probably lichens, which are normally found on trees that grow slowly, like the Japanese Maple. These fuzzy white patches are not a concern for the tree’s growth or health.
Getting rid of brown leaf spot, anthracnose, white spots or lichen is rather easy. The good news is that none of these discolorations are cause for major concern, although you may need to spend a little time and put forth some effort to get rid of them if you want your tree to look stunning again. While applying a fungicide may seem like the best idea, it isn’t always necessary. Here’s what to do instead.
When you water your tree, avoid spraying water on the tree’s leaves. Instead, irrigate directly at the base of the tree. Be sure to water in the morning, rather than in the evening so that the tree can dry during the day. Watering at night, although usually is more convenient, means water may settle on the tree’s leaves or trunks, which makes the spots worse.
Be sure to rake up and remove any fallen, diseased leaves as they fall. Avoid dumping them in the compost as you could end up spreading the disease all over your other plants. Instead, just bag the leaves up and throw them in the trash.
For any branches that may look too far gone and in need of trimming, properly prune the branch or hire a professional arborist in Kingsport to take care of the task for you. Improper cuts could end up injuring or destroying the tree, so only tackle the pruning project yourself if you are experienced and knowledgeable to do so.
Tree Care in Kingsport
To learn more about tree care or our professional arborist services, please contact Promier Tree by calling (423) 765-2626 for a free estimate.
We serve clients in the Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol areas.