What is happening to my Sensation Maple? - Ask Extension
I noticed that my Sensation Maple is suddenly dropping leaves and showing dry edges on the leaves. This tree is watered a few hours once a month. ...
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What is happening to my Sensation Maple? #847124
Asked August 24, 2023, 1:25 PM EDT
I noticed that my Sensation Maple is suddenly dropping leaves and showing dry edges on the leaves. This tree is watered a few hours once a month. I have included a picture of the leaves.
I would appreciate any help in getting this tree back to health.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Jackie,
Welcome to the year of the Sensation boxelder! You're one of dozens that has reached out with concerns over their tree.
To be perfectly honest, we don't know what's causing the damage. There are several thoughts circulating among tree care professionals and diagnosticians. The first is that it could be a disease. We did send samples to the CSU Diagnostic Lab and they cultured out a disease, BUT it tends to be a secondary infection and usually not something that causes longterm harm. If it is a disease, it infected the tree way back in the spring when we had all the rain and cooler temperatures. So trying to "fix it" at this point is not an option.
Another potential cause could be ozone injury. Boxelder can be very sensitive to ozone levels, and our summer has had numerous days where the ozone quality has been high and potentially unhealthy to humans (like yesterday). Because these trees are from all different landscape sites, and in various stages of maturity, and have various cultural things, something environmental (like ozone) can be likely.
Going forward this fall, keep the tree healthy and watered as much as you're able. Water it in the fall and winter once or twice a month on warm days. As the leaves fall, rake them up and throw them in the trash (if it's a disease, this can help break the disease cycle).
The trees I've looked at have set their buds for next year, which is very promising. I think it's was a "perfect storm" of conditions for 2023.
Welcome to the year of the Sensation boxelder! You're one of dozens that has reached out with concerns over their tree.
To be perfectly honest, we don't know what's causing the damage. There are several thoughts circulating among tree care professionals and diagnosticians. The first is that it could be a disease. We did send samples to the CSU Diagnostic Lab and they cultured out a disease, BUT it tends to be a secondary infection and usually not something that causes longterm harm. If it is a disease, it infected the tree way back in the spring when we had all the rain and cooler temperatures. So trying to "fix it" at this point is not an option.
Another potential cause could be ozone injury. Boxelder can be very sensitive to ozone levels, and our summer has had numerous days where the ozone quality has been high and potentially unhealthy to humans (like yesterday). Because these trees are from all different landscape sites, and in various stages of maturity, and have various cultural things, something environmental (like ozone) can be likely.
Going forward this fall, keep the tree healthy and watered as much as you're able. Water it in the fall and winter once or twice a month on warm days. As the leaves fall, rake them up and throw them in the trash (if it's a disease, this can help break the disease cycle).
The trees I've looked at have set their buds for next year, which is very promising. I think it's was a "perfect storm" of conditions for 2023.
