Like any other species of tree, the cherished maple is at risk of disease. To ensure your maples are healthy, here are a few diseases to watch out for:

Anthracnose

This is a group of diseases caused by fungi that tends to affect many shade trees. It is common after humid winters and can hinder bud formation, kill leaves, and cause brown or purple spots and stripes on leaves.

Prevention tip: Anthracnose thrives on dead leaves. To keep your maple trees healthy, ensure you rake up all dead leaves and remove them from your lawn.

Tar Spot

Tar spots can be caused by one of two fungi: Rhytisma acerinum or R. punctatum. As the name suggests, this disease results in large, brownish-black circles on the tops of leaves. The disease tends to ramp up during wet weather when the leaves are unable to dry. Although the disease looks menacing it is not life threatening to the tree.

Maple Wilt

This is a serious disease that can potentially kill your maple tree. It starts in the roots and works its way up the trunk, resulting in scorched-looking leaves and deformed branches.

Prevention tip: Remove all trees affected with maple wilt. If you notice symptoms on your tree, remove the infected branches to reduce the risk of spreading.

Sapstreak

This fungal disease affects sugar maples and causes foliage at the top of the tree to shrink. It is a fatal disease that can only be prevented by chopping down affected trees.