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Mature Standard Acer

kevinlowe616kevinlowe616 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
We have two Standard Acers. They must be at least 6yrs old. They are about 6ft high with an umbrella of leaf about 4-5ft. The leaves 🍁 open each year in a lovely light golden brown and as they mature the leaves develop a mass of tiny red spheres that sit on the top side of the leaf. The spheres don’t seem to harm the trees themselves but the red spheres spoil the appearance. Enquires at my local garden centre has them stumped and I can’t identify the problem via the net. Photograph from last year 2020 attached. Any ideas. Kevin Lowe. (Derbyshire)

Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    It looks like a kind of rust, a fungal infection.  You could try a  spray,  if you don't want a chemical solution then something like a seaweed tonic, early in the season may help.  
    If you are an RHS member you could send them some of the leaves to see if they can identify & offer advice, or you could try Kew gardens.  A heavy mulch under the tree may stop the spores spreading.  
    All I can think of,  maybe someone else may have more ideas. 
    AB Still learning

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Sycamore gall mite. One of my seed grown sycamores also has it this year. Fascinating bit of nature and no real harm as long as you don't mind the look of the galls.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Well there you are, I stand corrected.  You could still try a heavy mulch it may stop the mites getting up onto the tree.  Seaweed Tonic, not feed, is good for toughening up leaves, again it might help, no guarantee, but nothing to lose. 
    AB Still learning

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