Knowledgebase
Dark Bark and Redish Spots on a Maple Tree #734538
Asked November 27, 2020, 3:56 PM EST
Fairfax County Virginia
Expert Response
Hello -
It appears that your maple has developed a canker - that is, a fungus that takes control of the tree when the tree is in decline.
Steganosporium ovatum cankers appear as secondary infections on the maple tree - they are black fruiting structures (raised bumps) that cover the tree's bark. The black pustules eventually grow together as the fungus spreads and forms a solid black layer over the bark's surface.
Root rot and branch canker (Nectria cinnabarina or coral spot canker) usually occur with the Steganosporum ovatum fungus. I believe the Nectria cinnabarina is the cause of the orange pink spots you are seeing.
see: https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_ne129.pdf (p. 35-36 and Figures 85 and 86) Cankers develop between late fall and early spring. Trees stressed by factors such as windstorms, sudden drops in temperature or insect wounds are affected. Tree growth is not usually impaired and the lesions close over after a good growing season.
Hope this helps. Carol