Home gardeners rarely have to complain about diseases when the maple tree is properly cared for. However, the decorative tree is not immune to fungal attack. The focus is on two fungal pathogens. You can read about what these are, what symptoms occur and how to combat them here.
How do you combat fungal infestation on the maple maple?
Mildew and red pustule disease often occur when fungal infestation occurs on the maple maple tree. Powdery mildew appears as a mealy, whitish coating on the leaves and can be controlled with a milk and water mixture. Red pustule disease manifests itself as red pustules on branches and should be treated by pruning affected shoots.
Identify and combat mildew - How to do it
The warm summer season brings a widespread fungal pathogen onto the scene that hardly spares any ornamental or useful plant. The disease known as powdery mildew is a collective name for various fungal infections with similar symptoms. A simple home remedy has proven to be very effective:
- Typical symptom: Mealy, whitish to gray coating on the top and/or bottom of the leaves
- Immediate measure: remove all affected plant parts and burn or bury them deeply
- Combat: add 125 milliliters of fresh milk to 1 liter of water and spray repeatedly
- Alternatively: treat with a decoction of field horsetail
The lecithin contained in fresh milk (not long-life milk) effectively fights fungal spores. The silica contained in the field horsetail decoction has a similar effect. As is usual with natural remedies, resounding success can only be achieved after repeated use.
Red pustule disease – symptoms, control and prevention
If the branches are covered with pinhead-sized, vermilion to dark red pustules, red pustule disease (Nectria cinnabarina) has struck. The pathogen occurs all year round and primarily targets maple species. The fatal consequence of this fungal infection can be cancerous growths on branches and trunks. Fungicides of all kinds have so far been a losing battle when it comes to combating fungal infections. How to combat the disease:
- Cut affected shoots back to the he althy wood up to 20 cm deep
- The best time is on a frost-free day in late winter, before the growth phase begins
- Burn, bury or dispose of clippings in household waste
The red pustule fungus primarily targets weakened trees. Potassium-rich, low-nitrogen, organic fertilization in autumn has a preventive effect. Avoid drought stress and waterlogging through a regular and well-measured water supply.
Tip
Contaminated scissors and saws are among the most common carriers of pathogens. Only cut a ball maple into shape after you have carefully disinfected the blades with spirit or a liquid household cleaner.