Date: Fri 11-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

nature-maple-tree-disease-fall

Full Text:

Ailing Maples May Diminish This Fall's Spectacle

(with cut)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Sharon Douglas' phone has been ringing off the hook this week. Everyone wants

to know what's wrong with their maple trees.

The plant pathologist from the state's Agricultural Experiment Station in New

Haven has been studying the trees closely this summer. Throughout the state,

the trees have become very ill, being hit by one problem after the other.

Take a close look at a maple tree. Many have already lost their leaves and

their bark is covered with tar spots. Those leaves still managing to stay on

the trees appear curled, stunted and blackened and can appear tattered and

torn.

"It's just showing up now, but the infection started a long time ago," Dr

Douglas said Tuesday.

It is still early to predict this year's foliage, but experts say the maple

tree problem will definitely have an impact. Maples are a big component of the

foliage season, especially sugar and red maples, whose leaves are among the

brightest.

"There will be some loss of color," Dr Douglas said.

Frost damage is a major cause of the maple malaise. Last spring's late frost

and premature bud break created favorable conditions for certain diseases to

move in, including Anthracnose. Late summer scorch caused by drought and heat

stress also contributed to the problem.

Tree bark may have fungal leaf spots (including tar spots), powdery mildew and

verticillum wilt.

This has become a problem throughout the state, the tree pathologist said.

It's not just one kind of maple, either. Diseases have been found in several

species, including Japanese, Norway, Sycamore, red (or swamp), silver, and

sugar maple trees.

Maple trees are hit by disease on an annual basis. However, this year's

moderate springtime temperatures favored the start of these diseases and the

warm, humid summer conditions helped elevate disease development, Dr Douglas

said.

Jerry Milne of the state's Department of Forestry said tiny insects called

pearthrips also added to the problem. They ingest and damage buds just as they

begin to swell up on their way toward becoming leaves. As the leaves finally

unfold, the damage is done. Pearthrips have not caused any problems for at

least five years, the tree specialist noted.

"Maple trees are not happy this year. There seems to be a combination of

problems," he said.

Mr Milne said a normal winter and spring next year should help the trees

recover, although, in some cases, the damage may be beyond repair.