Tar Spot Control On New Baltimore Maples

Maple trees are a common feature of the scenic landscapes in New Baltimore, Michigan, offering shade and brilliant fall colors. However, if you’ve noticed black, tar-like spots on the leaves of your maple trees, they may be affected by tar spot. This fungal disease, caused by fungi in the Rhytisma family, is common in our area due to its humid climate. While not a serious threat to tree health, tar spot can detract from your maple's beauty.

What Is Tar Spot?

Tar spot appears as distinctive black patches on maple leaves. Early in the growing season, infected leaves develop tiny yellowish spots that gradually enlarge and darken into thick, circular tar-like marks. By late summer, trees with heavy infections may experience premature leaf drop, but the disease typically doesn’t harm the overall health of the tree.

How Does Tar Spot Develop?

The fungus responsible for tar spot overwinters in fallen leaves. As spring arrives, the spores spread to new foliage, particularly during wet and cool conditions. New Baltimore’s humid spring climate creates a favorable environment for this fungus to thrive. Without intervention, the cycle will continue each year, spreading to more trees in the area when environmental conditions are favorable.

Managing and Preventing Tar Spot

Controlling tar spot starts with fall yard cleanup. Rake and remove fallen leaves to disrupt the fungus’s life cycle. Make sure infected leaves are disposed of in yard waste collection rather than composted, as the spores can survive in compost piles and reinfect your trees.

Healthy trees are better equipped to handle minor issues like tar spot. Regular watering, mulching, and fertilization can strengthen your maples and help them resist stress.

If you don’t want to see tar spot on your trees, fungicide sprays for tar spot will reduce the amount of disease on the leaves. These treatments are started in the spring as soon as the leaves start emerging from tree buds.

Keeping Maples Beautiful in New Baltimore

For residents of New Baltimore, tar spot is mainly a cosmetic issue. If you have concerns about managing tar spot or need expert guidance, reach out to a local arborist from Owen Tree Service for tailored advice and support.