Trident Maple - Black Spots

[archie1979]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to write a quick post to see if anyone else has had the same problem. My Trident Maple has developed black spots on its folioage. A couple of the tipes have dried out and browned also.
I am thinking it might be due to the hot winds we have had in Sydney but am interested to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

Archie

[archie1979]

Oh yeah I was also thinking of defoliating it this afternoon. I know its not really the right time prob a bit late in summer for a full defoliation but the foliage is looking a little unwell thinking this might bring it back.

Archie

[Bretts]

Many growers have had trouble with Fungi on the trident that has escalated this season for some reason but I am unsure if this would be the same issue.
When I first started Bonsai I was worried about some spots on a Liquid amber but was told it was just a normal transition of the leaf heading into Autumn. I am not so sure that is all to it any more but often it is little to worry about.

As we are heading into Autumn I would not recommend defoliating your trident no matter how bad the leaves are. Any green on the leaf is still making energy and getting the tree to make new leaves now will just use up a heap of energy.

After the leaves drop clean them away and use a dormant oil or lime sulfur a few times before spring hits to make sure there is no residue fungi. Do the same with benches and any litter around the yard especially near the benches.

A picture would be good though. Is there any leaf distortion or curling?

[archie1979]

Hey Bretts,
Thanks for the info I will heaf out and take some photos of the leaves.

[archie1979]

Okay here are a few pics

[anttal63]

I just defoliated one last week. So i could get it and see the stucture and do some thinning. Should be fine with a young treel ike yours but probably unneccesary. It wont help to fatten up a young tree thats for sure. They are pretty tough trees. Just dont give one to Jamie.

[Bretts]

Just dont give one to Jamie

The trident King reckons there is no reason to defoliate tridents. Anyway now I had my laugh I better look at the pictures

[Bretts]

Archie that looks healthy enough to head into Winter. I would not worry too much about the spots. It can be a pity to miss out on nice autumn colour but there is always next year.
I as others are still trying to understand this fungus that has attacked many tridents this season. I have noticed spots on some of my tridents like yours this year. I am unsure if it is a symptom of the fungus or a separate condition.

What I am pretty sure of is that it is no immediate threat to your tree. The best thing for the health of this tree will be to let it be. Maybe there is a harmless tonic that will slow what ever pest caused this but the most action I would take at the moment is to separate it from other trees and do the Winter fungal pest treatment that I described earlier.

Good luck!

[archie1979]

Hi Brett,
Thanks for your input it is appreciated, As you have mentioned I have already seperated it from the other trees. I will just continue to feed and fertilize and see what happens.



Archie