Question
QUESTION: Hi just moved into a house, a young maple tree has bark peeling off from the base and leaves have white spot . Worried it may be dying .Please advise what can be done to rejuvenate it and cure the problem.
Thanks

ANSWER: DEB:
Bark peeling may indicate an underlying problem such as decay within the tree. Check to see if the tree has a good crop of leaves or is it thinning- This may be an indication of the health status.

For the white spots- not sure about this one. If the tree is mature, leaf spots are not usually a major issue. Just rake them up in the winter and destroy- usually too expensive to spray. If you care to send a closeup photo of a leaf, I will be glad to take a look at it. Be sure to review it on your computer to be sure it is in focus before sending as an email attachment.

Steve

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

QUESTION: the leaves are healthy and growing fine except for the spots.The bark is is falling off on its own at the base. Don't know what the previous owners did . I cleaned up the base of the plant of all weeds and found lots of small black coloured ants.does that mean something ?any home remedies??

Answer
DEB;
Presence of the ants in the tree is probably after the fact- most likely not the cause, they have just found them a nice home--possibly in a decayed portion of the trunk. Preventing wounds on a tree (e.g. lawnmowers/construction equipment/string trimmers)is the best thing you can do to prevent diseases.  Be sure to water adequately during the hot/dry summers and consider fertilization (based on a recent soil test).  Drought stress may not show up on the tree until sometime after the drought-sometimes 2-3 seasons, so doing the water thing and avoiding injury are the best things. Also watch the tree every spring to see how it leafs out.  If it starts to decline and could pose a threat to people or property, you may have to make firewood out of it.

Again, if you want to send me a picture of the white leaf spots, I'll be glad to give you my opinion.

Steve