A various specimen tree for the landscape painting , the Japanese maple is sincerely a affair of beauty – which , when you see one that ’s diseased , makes it that much more of a tragedy .
And just like a Shakespearean sad story , a grim Japanese maple can well terminate in death . Not that of a person , thankfully , but of your tree .
A deadAcer palmatumcan still off you in the feels pretty hard , though , especially if you ’ve been nurturing it for a good longsighted while .
Editorial credit: LCV / Shutterstock.com
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Armed with the noesis of what to look for , you could preserve your Nipponese maple , or even keep them from contract a disease in the first place .
That ’s why we ’ve whipped up this template on the most mutual malady ofA. palmatum . How to identify them , how to manage them , how to prevent them … it ’s all cover here .
Editorial credit: LCV / Shutterstock.com
Here ’s the list of diseases :
9 Common Japanese Maple Diseases
If you ’re in want of a refresher abouthow to get Nipponese maples , be sure to hold out our pathfinder .
1. Anthracnose
sport fact about the word “ anthracnose ” : it ’s a taking into custody - all term for a group of related to fungous diseases that usually make darkened foliar lesion .
And anthracnose can infect many plant , includingAcerspecies such as Japanese maples .
Several fungal pathogen can cause anthracnose in Japanese maples – Aureobasidium apocryptum , Discula campestris , andColletotrichum gleosporoidesare a few significant one .
Overwintering in dead foliage , twigs , and buds , the pathogens grow fruiting bodies in fountain , which release spores that disperse via tip and rain to uninfected structures .
Once infected , Japanese maple foliage exhibits tan or black blotches along leaf margins and primary veins . Infected leafage will then turn necrotic , curl , and drop cloth .
In clock time , this can defoliate trees untimely , as well as trail to the descent of stressed , weak , young , and/or recently transplanted Nipponese maples .
Since spores disperse via splashing water and air current , avoid overhead irrigation and sufficiently distance Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree when you plant .
septic leave of absence and limb should be promptlyprunedand destroy , while throw off leaves , ramification , and other spot of rubble should be remove to forbid pathogen overwintering and further spread .
For at - jeopardy Japanese maple trees , prophylactic fungicide sprays in early saltation can avail . Start at bud pause , and repeat twice at two - week intervals . Be sure to follow the label ’s instructions !
2. Canker
If you ’re a bite squeamish , feel gratuitous to skip this one .
canker sore result from open wounds becoming infected by fungal or bacterial pathogens . Capable of appear on any part of a Japanese maple tree ’s barque , canker tend to be brownish to reddish , sunken , and irregularly - form .
They also ooze moist sap , as well as stink something awful .
The leafage beyond a canker can become stunted , chlorotic , browned , and curled .
In metre , the pathogen can spread into a tree diagram ’s vascular system , which can cause further wilt and branch dieback .
Plus , a canker can produce its own spores , which spread in slopped and windy circumstance to form more canker elsewhere .
Canker bar is wide-eyed : avoid unnecessarily offend your Nipponese maple and keep it sound . Also , be sure to regularly sterilize your horticulture tool rubbing alcohol .
For a Nipponese maple presently carry cankers , prune aside infect branches several inches behind the symptomatic tissue .
Be sure to dispose of them promptly , and only make your track in teetotal weather with tart , unfertile blade . To plow canker on the trunk , you should consult an tree surgeon or industrial plant pathologist .
3. Leaf Scorch
Leaf scorch is technically an abiotic condition , think of it ’s a physiologic term make by the environment , rather than a biologic pathogen .
triggered by high temperature , dry farting , low soil wet , or some combination of these , leaf scorch manifest in brown or gray foliar margin , as well as chlorotic or darkened areas between folio vein . In metre , singe foliation can turn brown , juiceless , and brittle .
In mild cases , the leafage can survive with only a chip of disfiguration . More dangerous vitrine will cause previous defoliation , as well as twig drop .
Either way , symptom tend to be stronger on the side of the Japanese maple tree that ’s most expose to wind and sunshine .
Thankfully , leaf scorch is usually a impermanent condition due to a red-hot , dry summer . But if leaf singe happen year after yr , then your tree may suffer energy and become a bit scrubby .
foreclose and crippled leaf scorch are both reasonably mere : provide proper irrigation and moisture - retaining mulch .
As long as you cultivate to counteract the moisture deprivation with enough water , the leaf - scorched Nipponese maple should produce beautiful leaf next spring like nothing even happen .
4. Phyllosticta Leaf Spot
Phyllosticta leaf position is jolly easy to notice . Or “ fleck , ” if you ’ll excuse the punning .
It ’s induce by the fungusPhyllosticta minima , which overwinters in fallen foliar detritus . In spring , it produces spore that spread via wind and splash water to the bud foliation of nearbyA. palmatumspecimens .
fresh spores produced on infected leafage can then spread throughout the canopy , or even move to nearby trees . In serious cases , the Japanese maple can be defoliated for a time , but the leaves will typically get back .
septic leaves demo xanthous to tan patch , with dark reddish to purplish borders .
The centers can sometimes be vaporous or even drop out , leaving infected foliage with more chatoyant holes than a John Wick desktop actor .
Take a close flavour at the parting and you ’ll notice black fruiting bodies in the dead sections .
It ’s important to glance over up nearby foliar debris in dip to remove sites for overwintering pathogen .
Overhead irrigation should be avoided , along with direct specimens too closely together . If you notice severely infected leave , rationalize them can help set bedspread .
prophylactic lotion of fungicide can be helpful for young , previously pathologic , or otherwise at - risk Nipponese maples .
Three diligence should suffice : one at bud interruption , one about 10 days later , and one when the leafage is fully formed .
5. Phytophthora Root Rot
Some truly horrible things start with “ ph , ” such as phonies , phishing , and flatness . Phytophthora root bunkum , due to urine molds in thePhytophthoragenus , is another .
As with most root putrefaction , Phytophthora begins with too much moisture , whether your Nipponese maple receive too much water , the filth it ’s sit in does n’t drain well , or both .
When the ground is overly sluggish , it help as the perfect surround for the soil - borne resting spores ofPhytophthoraspecies to pullulate and produce motile spores .
These motile spores go around via free water to penetrate roots , trunks , and branches of nearby plants .
Once infected , a Japanese maple will start to depend drought - stressed , ironically enough . leave turn discolored , bark darkens , root change state necrotic , and the plant as a whole will decline and eventually die .
bar is as simple as not overwatering , providing well - drain soil , and avoiding planting in contaminated soils .
Be certain to select plants that you know are disease - destitute , and feel free to use foliar sprays of antifungal , which’ll be absorbed and jaunt down into the roots .
For a specimen that ’s already taint , finish supplemental irrigation directly . If the plant ca n’t regain on its own , then you ’ll have to remove and destroy it .
6. Powdery Mildew
get by several genus of nearly related fungi , powdery mildew is n’t the vulgar of consideration on this list .
If anything , it evince up on foliage look like a easy coating of onetime child powder , a fine software of moldy parmesan cheese , or perhaps a severe case of dandruff .
Okay , I guess that ’s actually pretty nasty .
Whatever you think the grayish - white gunpowder looks like , it spots and coats foliage , leaving it with unnatural growth , distortion , and discoloration . As it work up , foliar greensickness , browning , dehydration , and even premature drop can occur , as well as a decline in overall flora health .
Since the fungus survive the winter by living in fallen plant detritus before producing spores in bound , it helps to skim up nearby leaves and twig detritus in fall .
And since the spore involve nerveless and humid experimental condition to spread , avoid overhead irrigation and crowding plants together .
Remove infect foliage and halt as you notice them . You ’ll also need to absent any suckers that pop up near the floor of the Japanese maple tree – those are especially vulnerable to transmission .
pronto utilize fungicides once symptoms are mention can also help to forestall further counterpane .
you could learn more about powdery mould in our guide .
7. Pseudomonas Tip Blight
A disease of many cosmetic plants , Pseudomonas tip blight can be bad word for a Japanese maple .
This condition is due to the bacteriumPseudomonas syringae , which winter in fallen flora detritus or in the healthy tissue of the plant itself .
In cool and wet leaping weather condition , it disseminate via air current , splashed rainwater , dirt ball , and/or pruning puppet to enter plant tissue through wounds or natural initiative .
Once inside , the bacteria produces toxin that move through the xylem to cause problems .
Said problems include shoot discoloration , shriveling , and death .
Think of a mortified tree branch in need of amputation , and that ’s what infect branches and foliage are like , for the most part . And if enough branches fall down victim , then the entire Nipponese maple tree diagram can perish .
Be certain to prune by any infected tissue paper with uninventive tools when you notice them , but only during dry conditions – the pathogen could spread in moist conditions .
If any infected leaves and twigs drop , rake those up as well . And be sure to forefend high - atomic number 7 fertilization , which can lead to vulnerable late - time of year development .
If the tree diagram is badly taint – i.e. more than half of the crown is symptomatic – then removing and destroying the specimen may be your best bet .
8. Tar Spot
Just by the name , you could probably imagine how gnarly gob spot looks .
In maples , old salt point is triggered by various fungous species from theRhytismagenus , which overwinter in fall leafage .
Come leaping , the spots split , release spores that catch a ride on wind to nearby leafage . If a leafage becomes infected , tar spots form and the cps continues .
say spots tend to show up in tardy spring to other summer as modest , wan jaundiced areas less than an eighth of an column inch in diameter .
Over time , the spots rise and become moody brown or black , with yellow borders . This spotting interferes with photosynthesis , slightly impeding the tree diagram ’s maturation and growing .
Thankfully , tar bit does n’t really damage the host over the retentive term , since new parting will mould every class .
Besidesraking upand destroy fall foliage , as well as pruning infected ones as you notice them , you could try using foliar fungicide , place for as much coverage as potential .
hear more about tar stain and otherJapanese maple leaf spots in our guide .
9. Verticillium Wilt
A disease of many different trees and bush , verticillium wilt afflictsAcerspecies with a particular ease and severity , to the breaker point that it ’s often nicknamed “ maple wilting ” among arborist .
Verticillium wilt is cause by two fungous species ofVerticillium : V. albo - atrumandV. dahliae .
lie sleeping in territory and works roots , these pathogens move to wounds or natural orifice in roots and branches , traveling via flowing water system , overrun soil , air current , or foul pruning pecker .
Once inside the flora ’s vascular system , the pathogen halts the flow of water and nutrients , leading to foliar wilt , browning , and premature pearl .
These symptom are often limit to specific sections of the tree at first , before circularize throughout the crown .
Infected subdivision bark exhibits discolour streaks , and the entire Japanese maple can step by step pass up before perishing .
It ’s important to prune aside infect branches ASAP , as far back as the discolored bark tissue go . Use sterilized pruning cock , and check that to destroy any pruned material .
If the disease outpace your pruning efforts and/or smite the bulk of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , you may have to remove and put down the full plant .
In Sickness and in Health
Cultivating a tree like the Nipponese maple can be a womb-to-tomb commitment . So it aid to know how to protect it from disease , as well as how to nurture it back to full health .
And now that you know how to keep anA. palmatumhealthy , you ’re free to focalise on other part of your garden . That ’s garden for ya … there ’s always a plant or task demanding your aid . And we would n’t want it any other way !
And for moreinformation about Japanese maples and how to arise them , chequer out these template next :
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Joe Butler
