please help my maple tree

[sakryn]

I looked up at my Maple tree today and noticed something strange.* The leaves are wilty and covered in black spots.* It doesn't look like bug eggs, but I can't get to any leaves to find out.* Can anyone help me?

We just bought this house and the two maples in the front yard were one of the reasons we bought the home.* The entire landscaping revolves around these two trees.

[Newt]

Hi Sakryn,

It could be tar spot or leaf blister.* Take a look here.* The last one is powdery mildew, but it's a fallen leaf and not what powdery mildew would look like at this time of the year.
http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/pubs/diseases/leaves.htm

If the leaves are too high up for you to reach I would suggest a consult with a certified arborist who does diagnostics or try and get a leaf and send it to your local extension service for help.
http://www.uwex.edu/

Newt

[sakryn]

[align=left]Thank-you.* I do believe it's leaf blister.* Where can I go to find out a cure or how to protect my other maples?* Any help would be greatly appreciated.[/align]

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* Do try and get a few fallen leaves and send to your local extension service to be sure.* From this site with more helpful info for diagnosis:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardand...-July0102.html

"If this disease becomes a problem several years in row, or in three of the last five years, homeowners may wish to plan ahead and apply a preventative fungicide just prior to budbreak next year. Several fungicides that are labeled for home use for control of Taphrina diseases and include: · Lime sulfur
· Chlorothalonil (Bravo, Daconil)
· Bordeaux mixture
· Fixed Copper (Kocide, Top Cop)"

There really is no cure, just prevention.
Newt