A positive diagnosis from photos alone can be difficult. From the photos the maple appears to have possibly been exposed to a chemical herbicide. Many herbicides applied to control weeds may get washed into a landscape bed or blown by wind during application. Established trees can usually survive herbicide exposure.

What to do? Keep the tree as healthy as possible, avoid the landscape bed while applying lawn fertilizers or pesticides and water deeply in summer if we go through periods of drought.                                                                                                                          

Feel free to contact our office if you have other questions.

Let me know if I can help you further!


Carol Wilder
Horticulture Technician
Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service
Email: <personal data hidden>

<personal data hidden>
200 Juneau Drive
Louisville KY 40243