Question
Thank you for the response.
There is nothing sticky on the leaves or branches. Tempatures have been dropping into the low 30s here the past couple weeks.I don't think aphids can survive these temps. The blackness can be scrapped off with my fingernail but does not wipe off. I have not seen aphids on this tree all year. I had them on other trees but sprayed and controled them.

Any other possible solutions or suggestions?

Kind regards,
John Crane
-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
I need your help!!!

I just recently noticed a black coloring on my Waterfall Maple. I think this is the same thing that killed one of my 15 year old Crimson Queens last year.

The leaves are starting to curl and the black is spreading slowly. I just treated the tree with Bayer Advanced Garden Disease Control today. I hope this helps. What do you think this is?How should I treat it before it gets out of control? Here are a couple photos:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Grancru/MapleFall06005.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Grancru/MapleFall06003.jpg

I greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you,
John Crane

Answer -
Check and see if the leaves are stick if so the problem is aphids. These small soft bodied insect suck the plant juices and make the leaves curl and deposit a sticky substance called honeydew on the leaves. This honeydew is high in sugar content and a sooty mold will grow on the honeydew. The sooty mold will not affect the leaves.  This is more than likely the black. Control the aphids and the sooty mold will go away. Check with your local nursery/ garden type store for a spray for aphids. After the aphids are gone you can spray the fungus or just let the rain wash the residue off the leaves.

Answer
Then it is probabally a leaf spot fungus.
Fungi : Leaf Spots

Leaf spots are caused by fungi or bacteria. Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular, with a water soaked or yellow-edged appearance. Insects, rain, dirty garden tools, or even people can help its spread.

Prevention and Control: Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry. Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of. Avoid overhead irrigation if possible; water should be directed at soil level. For fungal leaf spots, use a recommended fungicide according to label directions. The one you are using is good but this late in the year may not help the next years leaves since soon the leaves will be falling off. I would recommend you rake up all the leaves you can after they fall and move them from the site and when the new leaves start to appear next spring spray the fungicide on the new leaves.