How do I get rid of Maple leaf gall?

Question

The gall disease on our leaves are destroying the beauty of the tree.  Please help!

Linda B · Answer

Seriously, you should ignore the problem. The damage is cosmetic, which is unfortunate, but the health of the tree will likely not be affected at all. Depending on the size of the tree, you'd likely need a professional tree service to treat with an insecticide of some sort. From the tree experts at NC State University: 'CONTROL These galls appear sporadically and do mostly cosmetic damage. The threat to the health of the tree is limited or negligible. Treatment is rarely justified. Because eriophyid gall mites crawl to the bark to spend the winter, trees could then be sprayed to suppress the mites there. By waiting until the leaves have fallen, it is easier to cover the bark thoroughly and much less pesticide will be needed. Following are some pesticides labeled for eriophyid mites or simply 'mites' and may give some control if applied according to directions for safe use found on the label of the pesticide container. Some maples, such as some of the Norway maples, are much less susceptible to these mites. Though there are miticides listed, do not expect much control. It is easier and cheaper to just enjoy them.' You can learn more about these galls here: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note04/note04.html Just try to remember that even galls have their place in the overall environmental system; the more we can accept the fact that sometimes things don't look perfect -- thus avoiding using chemicals for what's essentially a non-problem -- the better off our overburdened environment will be.

Shawn Brockhoff Maxwell · Answer

Contact your local county agriculture extension agent to confirm your diagnosis. Most  - nothing you can do.  Linda B above has great information. Mites or wasps are the cause...... My Maples and more the oaks have had for years. I am totally organic so will use nothing to eradicate - not hurting the tree.

Karen · Answer

I learned that, although it might appear to be harming my Maple tree, it isn't. I'm totally relieved to discover it's not a 'killer' of maple trees. Happy report!

Sarah Femrite · Answer

No, but it can leave some nasty bites on humans. My legs got eaten up last fall.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Collect all the leaves that are effected and burn them.

Mogie · Answer

Spray red maples with liquid lime sulfur, using a hand sprayer on small trees and a pressure sprayer on large trees. Only spray trees that have no new leaf growth, as leaf appearance indicates that the tree is not dormant. Drench the trunk entirely.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

This may help:

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/plant-disease/crown-gall/

How do I get rid of Maple leaf gall?

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How do I get rid of Maple leaf gall?

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