TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Japanese Maple Problems, Pests and Diseases
Have you noticed that your beloved Japanese maple tree is not looking its best? It could be facing a variety of problems, including pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on its health and beauty. In this article, we will explore common issues that Japanese maple trees face and provide tips on how to identify and treat them.
Common pests affecting Japanese maple trees
Japanese maple trees are susceptible to a range of pests that can cause damage to their leaves and bark. These pests include:
Aphids
Scale insects
Spider mites.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be easily identified by their pear-shaped bodies and the sticky residue they leave behind, known as honeydew. To prevent aphid infestations, it is important to keep your maple tree well-maintained and free from debris. Pruning any affected branches and using organic insecticidal soap can help control aphids and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the tree.
Scale insects are another common pest that can infest Japanese maple trees. These tiny insects attach themselves to the leaves and stems of the tree, sucking out its sap and causing damage. Signs of scale infestation include yellowing leaves, sticky residue, and black sooty mold. To get rid of scale insects, you can use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to suffocate and kill them. Regularly inspecting your tree and removing any scales manually can also help prevent infestations.
Spider mites are tiny pests that are barely visible to the naked eye. They feed on the sap of the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die. To control spider mites, you can use a strong blast of water to dislodge them from the leaves. Additionally, introducing natural predators, such as ladybugs, can help keep the spider mite population in check.
Japanese maple tree diseases and their management
The most commonly sees diseases on Japanese Maple trees are:
Powdery Mildew
Verticillium Wilt
Anthracnose
Leaf Spot
Apart from powdery mildew and verticillium wilt, Japanese maple trees can be susceptible to other diseases such as anthracnose. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes dark, sunken lesions on the leaves, stems, and branches. Fungicides and proper sanitation practices can help manage anthracnose and prevent it from spreading to other trees.
Another common disease that affects Japanese maple trees is leaf spot. Leaf spot is caused by various fungi and bacteria and manifests as small, dark spots on the leaves. Regular arborist inspections on your trees and promptly removing any infected leaves can help prevent the spread of leaf spot.
Tips for maintaining the health of Japanese maple trees
To ensure the long-term health and vitality of your Japanese maple tree, there are several tips you can follow:
Provide adequate sunlight: Japanese maple trees thrive in partial shade, so make sure to plant them in an area where they receive dappled sunlight throughout the day.
Water properly: Japanese maple trees prefer moist, well-drained soil. Avoid over-watering, as it can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
Mulch around the base: Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of your maple tree can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Regular pruning: Pruning your tree regularly can help remove dead or diseased branches, improve air circulation, and promote healthy growth.
Fertilize appropriately: Japanese maple trees have specific nutrient requirements. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for maple trees to provide the necessary nutrients without over-stimulating growth.
Japanese maple tree care and maintenance
In addition to following the tips mentioned above, regular care and maintenance are crucial for the health and longevity of your Japanese maple tree. Here are a few additional steps you can take:
Regularly inspect your tree for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection can help prevent the spread of infestations or diseases. We recommend having annual arborist consultations on your trees to keep them happy, healthy and thriving for years to come.
Remove any fallen leaves or debris from around the tree to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases.
Protect your tree from extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds or heavy snowfall, by providing support or shelter when necessary.
Monitor the soil moisture levels and adjust your watering schedule accordingly, especially during hot and dry periods.
Consider consulting with a professional arborist for proper tree care and maintenance, especially if you are unsure about specific issues or treatments.
Japanese maple trees are prized for their beauty and elegance, but they can be vulnerable to a range of pests and diseases. By staying vigilant and taking proactive measures, you can protect your tree from common problems such as aphids, scale insects, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. Regular care and maintenance, along with proper watering and fertilization, will help ensure the long-term health and vitality of your beloved Japanese maple tree. Remember, a healthy tree is a beautiful tree. Certified arborists can help your landscape reach it maximum potential and raise the overall value of your property.
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Should I Grind My Stump Or Remove It?
After having your trees removed there is a large eyesore left in your yard. Stump grinding and removal have pros and cons and the decision is ultimately up to the homeowner which route they want to take.
Reasons to have your stumps ground
After the stump begins the slow decay process the stump can become a home for pests such as termites, boring insects, fungi and more. In this scenario, if you stump is in close contact with other trees or your home, it might be best to remove it.
There are a number of other reasons a homeowner might have their stumps ground such as:
Cosmetic preferences.
After the stump has rotten, sinkholes will be left behind, leaving a hazard in your yard.
Desire to plant a new specimen when the stump is still in the way.
Reasons to have your stump removed
To remove your stump from the ground completely, in our opinion is the best way to ensure the stump is completely removed and no sinkholes in Stone Mountain will arise on your property. Removing a stump in Stone Mountain can be quite costly though due to the use of excavation services. When you have a stump plucked from your yard they bring in very heavy equipment out pull it, then will need a means to dispose of it (landfill$$), then will need to come behind the removal with a bobcat to push the dirt back into the remaining hole and smooth the surface back out.
Reasons to keep your stump
Some people might prefer to keep the stump in their yard as a form of yard art. Homeowners will put planted pots around it to make it a sort of plant stand for decoration. Keeping the stump also saves money, as stump grinding services can be an upwards of $100 depending on the size.
If you need stump grinding services, please give us a call today for a free estimate!
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Benefits of Fertilizing your Trees.
Fertilization is something that is widely recommended and also largely over looked. A common misconception is that only sick or dying trees benefit from fertilization. This is not the case at all! Trees love fertilization just as much as any of your plants do. There are many benefits of fertilization listed below :
Stabilize the Soil
Unfortunately, soil is not a ”one size fits all” thing. It contains many different elements and minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc that are vital to the health and survival of your trees and shrubs. At North American Tree Service, we always have our certified technicians take a proper soil test to determine exactly what your soil is lacking and where it can improve. This way, we avoid adding too much of the wrong element to the soil, which could end up killing the tree! This is why it is so important to make sure you hire a certified arborist to asses your trees. We have four certified arborists on staff that are prepared to diagnose your tree and make a plan to keep it healthy!
Can Cure Dying Trees
While unfortunately this isn’t always the case, usually a deep root fertilization done by a certiifed technician on a tree that looks sick or unhealthy, can sometimes reverse the effects and bring it back to life! By providing the tree with a maximum amount of nutrients, it can help the tree to become strong enough to completely fight off some infections. Now while fertilizer is a great thing for a dead or dying tree, it can also maximize the problem and kill the tree if the wrong type of fertilizer is used. North American Tree Service has a staff full of tree care industry experts that are able to determine exactly what route to take when deciding what type of fertilizer is safe and should be applied to your tree.
Save Money Over Time
By making the initial decision to fertilize your trees, you were actually making a long-term decision to not have to remove them. This in turn will save you money as tree removal is much more costly and dangerous than tree fertilization. We recommend our customers get ahead of the problem before it starts by contacting one of our certified arborist today for a free estimate on any of your tree care needs.
Helps the Grass
Fertilization can help strengthen the roots of the grass in your yard, allowing them to absorb more water more quickly preventing large mud holes every time it rains. If you have an area in your yard where the water just seems to collect every time it rains, you might want to do a fertilization just to prevent any further soil damage or potential root root for the trees! Did you know heavy rain is the most dangerous element for a dead tree? Even a tree that looks completely healthy on the outside could be hollow all the way up. This means as soon as it rains, especially if you have water collecting at the base of the tree, it could cause it to uproot completely. Give us a call today if you have any questions about the trees in your yard and are located in any of our service areas listed below.
Increase your property value with these helpful tree care tips!
Increasing your property value can be done in a number of ways. Marble countertops, renovating bathrooms and adding hardwood floors are all great things to add to a home, but what about the landscape? A beautiful landscape can increase the value of your home 6-15%. That means REMOVING all the dead trees and taking care of the healthy ones. No one wants to buy a house with a huge liability in the front yard when that tree decides to fall over.
Here’s a few things you should look out for when determining whether your property is sell ready.
Are there any dead tree’s in the yard? First, and foremost, let’s remove the biggest liabilities and then worry about the smaller stuff. Dead trees are like ticking time bombs, you never know when they are going to go off! Tree removal is a must for any dead trees.
Are there signs of disease/decay in my trees? Diseases can sometimes be treated if found early and depending on what type. However, decay, is tricky. Decay lies on the insides of the tree trunks and sometimes won’t show any signs or symptoms until its too late! Mushrooms around the base of a tree is NEVER good and always an indicator that there is some form of root rot/decay that needs to be addressed. Diseases come in all different forms including cankers, slime, fungus, etc. In a nutshell, if it looks funky, it most likely IS FUNKY.
Is my tree too close to my house? Improper planting is becoming a very common thing these days. Before deciding to purchase a tree to plant, always look up the ID card online to make sure your not putting an 80’ mature tree right next to your front porch, as you’ll likely need tree removal later on down the road. If you don’t have access to the information on the tree or simply cannot identify it, a general rule of thumb is nothing within 20’ of the house. Even trees with a narrow form can still have HUGE roots protruding out 20-30 feet from the base. This can mess with water/gas lines or anything underground.
Are my trees leaning towards a target? If a tree is leaning in a huge field with open grass, fine. If a tree is leaning towards the beautiful house of your dreams you just purchased, run. This is a huge liability as storm damage usually is alot more expensive than taking the preventative measures on your trees to begin with. Please give us a call if you notice any of these symptoms and think you may be in need of tree pruning.
Do you notice any dead limbs or leaves? Dead limbs aren’t always a good indicator of the health of a tree. Some usually just need a good prune. However, it’s best to have tree pruning performed as soon as you see them as the health of the tree is under stress trying to repair the dead/broken limb. The more routine pruning on your tree is performed, the better.
Call us today for a completely FREE inspection by a certified Arborist!
(770) 554-9406