Are my maple trees dying? They have bark that is falling off. I have two maple trees that are about 3 to 5 years old and they now are showing some bark damage and look like they are slowly rotting away. I see a few more similar in my neighborhood, some are leaveless -- one individual has a black plastic bag around the base (duck taped over the spots). Is there anything I can do to save/repair mine? I have attached a link to some pictures of the two trees. I didn't notice the bark spot until this year and the leaves are starting to brown as well. To veiw pictures just paste this link: https://picasaweb. google.com/107731967818540907621/SicklyMapleTree?authkey=Gv1sRgCNWk8rzJ2rmaVg&feat=directlink Thanks, Mark
It looks like canker, but there are several kinds of canker it could be. This article outlines the most common:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/maple-tree-bark-disease.htm
With most tree diseases, it is best to have a professional come and look at it as they can be difficult to diagnose without seeing the tree in person.
We planted an Acer drummondii in our garden about 7 or 8 years ago. During this time we have seen it grow and develop into a lovely tree and have had no problems with it until this year. The leaves have a sticky substance on them, and they (the leaves) are falling off (in the summer time). The tree itself is covered with aphids, greenfly and blackfly. Is this normal? We haven't noticed anything like this before. Any help, suggestions or advice would be welcome.
No, it is not normal. I would treat the tree with neem oil, which is very effective for most insect pests and should take care of any fungal issues that may arise as well. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
My newly planted Crimson King Maple tree's leaves are beginning to wilt. The leaves on this newly planted tree are wilting and I am not sure if it is dying because of lack of water. I have started to water it at night daily. Could I end up over watering it?
It is really, really hard to overwater a newly planted tree. Unless it is sitting in standing water, it is not getting too much water.
It may have transplant shock. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm
I have a very old, large maple tree in my garden. The plants and garden furniture under which is covered with black sticky mold. I understand this is from green fly, but as spraying with soapy water (the tree) isn't really practical, is there any other non-chemical way of dealing with them?
You can try spraying what you can reach with neem oil. It is an organic, people safe oil and the nice thing about it is that the tree will absorb it and carry it up to the parts of the tree you can't reach and kill the pests there.
For a truly non-chemical solution, you can try predators such as Aphidolytes or Aphidius. These are midges that prey on green fly and will kill them. They should be available from reputable plant nurseries.
This type of maple makes a great shade tree but is leaking sap droplets every night on our cars. It never did this before, help!
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/what-is-tree-sap.htm
Have a crimson maple tree with leaves covered in a white residue top and bottom. Is it possible that this is white powdery mildew? If so, how do you treat an entire tree? If not, what else could it be? The tree is approximately 50 years old and is in full sun.
Yes, this sounds like powdery mildew. Neem oil is oftentimes effective. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I bought a tree, came about four feet. I plan to let it grow a few more but want to stop its growth then. Should I cut the top of the trunk or what? It's in Zone 5, probably a sugar maple.
You can do a process called topping, which will encourage a tree to grow out rather than up. It is not normally recommended because it shortens the life of the tree. This article has more information on the pros and cons: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/sul7.pdf
Sugar maples want to grow rather large. You may not be able to contain its growth to under 10 feet, even if you top it. You may want to look for another variety of tree to go there, such as a small ornamental.