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Diseased Acer circinatum #601554

Asked October 08, 2019, 4:49 PM EDT

My vine maple leafs out and flowers ok in spring. Gets a crop of aphids which doesn't appear to affect it except for the sticky residue. Starting early September the leaves get spots, turn brown and fall off, and in general by now the tree looks terrible. I don't see any dieback on stems, etc. I have seen others just like mine near here in Beaverton and in Raleigh park area, in various settings. There are also many that are healthy and beautiful with great fall color which mine never gets. Online pictures kind of look like anthracnose...? I don't think verticillium wilt, but I am not the expert. My questions are: Is this easily treatable? If not, should I remove the tree? And if I remove it, can I plant another maple in its place? The first closeup picture of September 9, the rest are now.

Washington County Oregon

Expert Response

We may not be able to pinpoint the issue, but with a complete history of how you care for the tree, and possibly examining the leaves, we could suggest things to try next summer before you decide on replacement. The tougher-to-diagnose possibility is a genetic variation in how much fall color develops on individual plants. This is why shopping for a replacement is best done right now so you can judge colors the best. Here is the OSU Landscape Plants page for vine maple, Acer Circinatum: https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/acer-circinatum A quote “Prefers moist, shady situations, but tolerates sun.” Compare those you see with good color and those without. Is the amount of sun a predictor of fall color? Here is a blog from the Washington Native Plant Society about the vine maples and some named cultivars: https://www.wnps.org/blog/vine-maple-variations Here is the PNW Handbook page for anthracnose on maples: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-anthracnose Note the cultural controls. The chemical controls include only one for homeowners, so you may want to hire a certified arborist to make applications. Also note that the time to apply is spring. Have an arborist now diagnose your plant if you will consider spring treatment next year. We can help with some troubleshooting of care for the tree, what to look for next summer, and looking at the leaves now, possibly determine if disease exists. Once leaves begin the fall coloring, though, it is especially hard to tell disease from things like sun scorch, frost, and normal fall decline. Check with the county Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteers for office hours. Bring in leaves in various stages of green and color. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/have-gardening-question

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