Knowledgebase
Black matter on flowering maple #850548
Asked September 19, 2023, 5:10 PM EDT
Curry County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Lynda,
Thank you for emailing your photo. Have you noticed any aphids on your flowering maple or any sticky substance on the leaves? I'm wondering if this might be a sooty mold which occurs secondary to aphids feeding on plants and secreting honeydew. Honeydew is a sticky substance which fosters the growth of sooty mold.
We could certainly take a further look at the leaf should you want to bring in a sample to our plant clinic!
Lisa Cowan
Outreach Program Coordinator – Community Horticulture Program
Oregon State University
OSU Extension Service – Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson Counties
3800 SW Airport Way, Bldg #4
Redmond, OR 97756
Tel.:<personal data hidden> (direct line) I<personal data hidden> (x79590 - main line)