Question
QUESTION: We've had a maple tree for several years and it's grown well. Last year, it started to get spots on the leaves and a master gardener told us to trim the plant wherever we saw the spots, basing it on a colder-than-usual winter. The tree did fine through last summer. However, this year, there are brown leaves from last year that cling to the tree and there don't appear to be any buds, when everything else is budding. If I cut one of the branches, the area inside appears to be greenish, so I"m hoping there's still some life. Any ideas?

ANSWER: Sharon:
If the original spots that you saw were black first then brown later, this may be a disease called maple anthracnose. This disease, like many other leaf diseases of trees tends to be worst in the spring when there is a lot of rainy periods.  It usually does not have a big impact on the overall health of the tree. Just rake up leaves during the winter, before the spring gets here. These fallen leaves can be sources for the disease the following spring.  I would hold off any pruning for awhile to see if any new leaves form.

Regards
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The leaves were never really black, but stayed their reddish fall color, then turned brown and curled up. We've had a warmer, drier winter than usual. I read something about a fungal disease that's hitting lots of trees, but not sure if that's related either. Thanks for any feedback you can provide. Should I water more or fertilize more? Thanks again.

Answer
Sharon:
The browning may be a result of a temporary stress such as a heat/drought situation. Try scratching a few smaller twigs with your fingernail- looking for green color beneath. Also take a look at the trunk, looking for any loose or damaged bark. If you don't see any brown beneath or damage bark, I'd wait a bit longer for evidence of buds.

If you like, you can send me a photo of part of the branches with brown leaves.  I might be able to tell something helpful. Also, consider checking with a local nursery or garden center for their comments.  They may be able to recommend someone like a city arborist to come and visit your tree first hand. Diagnosis by email and phone can be a real challenge.

Regards
Steve