Sick maple tree - raised yellow spots - Ask Extension
My maple tree is losing it's leaves like it is fall. The leaves that are still on the tree are covered in yellow raised spots. It has been very dry ...
Knowledgebase
Sick maple tree - raised yellow spots #263091
Asked July 19, 2015, 11:50 AM EDT
My maple tree is losing it's leaves like it is fall. The leaves that are still on the tree are covered in yellow raised spots. It has been very dry in Saskatchewan and the lawn in the same yard is being affected by red ants as well. What are your thoughts??
County Outside United States
Expert Response
The yellow bumps are most likely "galls" which are the tree's reaction to an insect that is feeding at the site. This University of Manitoba site will explain them more fully: http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/afs/hort_inquiries/817.html
The premature leaf drop is most likely the tree's natural reaction to the drought conditions; it's the tree's way of protecting itself. Although it is very upsetting to see a major loss of leaves at this time of the year, the tree has stored some reserves of energy and should rebound next spring. The two situations (the galls and the leaf drop) are not directly related, except that since the tree is especially stressed it may be more susceptible to insect attacks. But in general both are well managed by trees, at least in the short term. Here are a couple of sites with more information about drought stress and trees:
http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/drought-damage
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/caring.htm
The premature leaf drop is most likely the tree's natural reaction to the drought conditions; it's the tree's way of protecting itself. Although it is very upsetting to see a major loss of leaves at this time of the year, the tree has stored some reserves of energy and should rebound next spring. The two situations (the galls and the leaf drop) are not directly related, except that since the tree is especially stressed it may be more susceptible to insect attacks. But in general both are well managed by trees, at least in the short term. Here are a couple of sites with more information about drought stress and trees:
http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/drought-damage
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/caring.htm
