Help identifying Maple pest(s)

[Laurie J]

Hi guys,

I have been very proud that my maples are growing like crazy. They've been very happy the last few months.

Two weeks ago I noticed some holes in the leaves, only on my trident maples. I got Pyrethrum and sprayed all of my plants just in case. Well, it seems what ever it is has come back, and brought a new problem with it. Not only do I have new holes, I have many many black spots! You can't scratch them off. Only on leaves until half way up the tree, from there it's just holes. Some of the leaves are just falling off too.

Can someone help? I haven't seen a single caterpillar, but thought that may have been my problem.

[shibui]

Probably fumes from all the Toranas

Seriously now,
Looks like a fungal infection though I have not seen anything like it before. Any chance this tree is kept where the leaves or soil stay wet for part or all of the day?
i don't see any sign of anything eating the leaves so pyrethrum cannot cure it. Maybe try a fungicide but you need to look for the cause of the problem - usually 1 or more of: too wet, not enough sun, not enough air movement.
I note several scrapes and scars on the trunk as well. What are they from? May or may not be related to the leaf problem.

[RogerW]

I agree it looks like a fungal infection. I would start with sanitation, remove all leaves and organic litter from the tree and the surface of the growing medium. You could also apply a fungicide, such as Triforine and also apply seasol. You should also ensure the tree is receiving lots of light and a drying breeze. Ensure there is very good drainage.

[Laurie J]

Hey! The Torana fumes are only methanol from the drag car these days, on the other side of the house, far far far away.

The scrapes are from when I very first got it, my Jack Russell took a liking to it and knocked it over. I've since moved them on to a table. I DID notice the other day when watering that water pooled on the table next to this tree, so maybe it's sitting in the water during the day? I'll start moving them off the table to water each day. It gets about 3 hours of full sun each day. The side of the house doesn't get a lot of wind, but the air definitely moves there so I don't think that's the issue.

Can I get Triforine from somewhere like Bunnings? I do give them all Seasol weekly.

I'll remove the leaves tomorrow morning and move them to water from now on. I'll get a fungicide tomorrow too. Thanks for your help guys!

[63pmp]

bottom picture is indicative of too much moisture hanging around the roots. try and let pot dry out before watering.vRepot next spring.

Paul.

[Laurie J]

Thanks 63amp. It must be the pooling on the table, because I definitely don't over water.

[Bougy Fan]

What is on the soil surface - is that spag moss ? If so it may be holding too much moisture ?

[Laurie J]

I do that on hot days only. Yesterday was 39 degrees.

[Laurie J]

Hi again, so I've been doing lots of research, talking to Horticulturalists etc and defoliated what I could and started a regime of liquid copper. It's definitely not as bad as it was, but I can't seem to get rid of it completely.

This morning I was having another good look around and I found the source! The neighbours have a huge Fuchsia that has the same problem. It hangs over my fence and over my bonsai. So now I have a bigger problem. Do I approach my neighbour and get them to treat the tree? It's huge, I'm not sure they'll be prepared to spray the whole tree a few times. Is there a way I can protect my trees short of moving them to another location?

These pics are taken of leaves from the fuchsia:

[JulzD]

How goes this one Adabelbengals?
I am watching with interest to try to stave off any potential problems with my Japanese Maple.

[Laurie J]

Hi JulzD, I defoliated them and started spraying with liquid copper twice per week. Here's a photo taken yesterday, it's completely gone! So thrilled!

[Boics]

Completely gone now....
Will it come back though?

Fingers crossed it won't!
Keep us posted this information is always helpful.

[Laurie J]

That's what I'm worried about Boics. So I'll be spraying fortnightly for another few treatments just to be safe

[JulzD]

So a fungus?