Q.Acer Triflorum disease
I’ll be buying an Acer Triflorum from a local tree nursery. The trunk diameter is 4inches and it is a very nice tree. There were some leaves with leaf scorch and the grower said the tree had a fungus a few years ago. They have another tree of its type, slightly smaller, but also has some leaf scorch on the top of the tree. The grower has taken a sample from each tree to ensure it isn’t verticillium wilt. It will take 3 weeks for results to come back. He was thinking it could be a maple anthracnose. My question is whether or not I should consider either of these trees. I really like their bark and fall color. I have the perfect space for the trees and would love to buy one of them. Do you think it would be safe to transplant if it’s maple anthracnose? The tree looks otherwise healthy.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It could very well be anthracnose, but it is not severe and I don't think its a major problem. Control is possible, first, good soil and water management to promote natural resistance may be enough. Dormant spraying with horticultural oil and copper during winter and biological fungicide during spring is preventive. Chemical fungicide, like systemic propiconazole is low toxicity and is possible for control of difficult cases.
Leaf scorch can also be related to water deficit (drought stress) or to fertilizer burn from high salts chemical fertilizer.
Maples are susceptible to verticillium wilt, but it is not likely with the signs that are present. I'm sure they will get a negative finding from leaf samples, its not the best way to diagnose vert. I wouldn't worry too much about that. Take preventive measures again with soil fertility, beneficial soil biology inoculation with a good planting soil and organic fertilizer.
