Knowledgebase

Tree Losing Leaves #836647

Asked June 20, 2023, 2:39 PM EDT

Hello, My tree is losing it's leaves. They are turning brown then black and falling off and shriveling. I've uploaded pictures of different stages

El Paso County Colorado

Expert Response

Hello Daniel,

Thank you for your inquiry. I'm sorry to hear your tree is losing leaves. From the photos you sent, it appears to be a maple. Is that correct? It also appears that the maple is maybe shaded by a cottonwood or aspen? That is just a guess based on the bark, so please confirm if you are able.

How many hours per day does the maple receive and how long ago was it planted? It is possible that your maple has anthracnose. Anthracnose is typically not an issue for maples in Colorado, but with this cold, wet spring and the stress that the tree may be experiencing from competing with the root system of another tree and living in its shade, it is possible that the conditions may have been right for this fungal disease to take hold. https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/anthracnose

Maple leaves are also very susceptible to stress early in the season from wind and changing temperatures. It is possible that the browning and distorted leaves were simply impacted by our unusual weather this season. Are the newer leaves looking ok?

If you would like you can bring in a sample to our master gardener help desk. We are here on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-12 and 1-4 and we are located at 17 N. Spruce St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80905. We would be happy to take a closer look under the microscope, but we don't have the ability to definitively diagnose any diseases. 

For a more complete diagnosis you could send a sample in to the CSU Plant Diagnostic Lab. https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/plantclinic/

I hope to hear from you to get a better understanding of the symptoms you are noticing.


Thanks,


Allisa Linfield
Horticulture Program Coordinator
CSU Extension El Paso County

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 26, 2023, 6:39 PM EDT

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