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Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple Scale typically infest the trunk and branches of trees but have also been observed on leaves in heavy infestations. Like other scale, they use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on leaf and bark tissue. This damages the tree by robbing it of nutrients and energy necessary to grow. Heavily infested trees will exhibit twig and branch dieback, thinning canopy, and a gradual decline in health. The bark of heavily infested trees will have a bumpy white texture due to scale insect covers. Once scales die, the cover will often remain attached.
Sunscald, a condition that causes a brown, “scorched” appearance on the leaves similar to the damage caused to leaves by a late frost, can affect the foliage on Japanese maples planted in full sun locations.
Powdery Mildew is a common fungal disease on the leaves of Japanese maples. Read more about powdery mildew and its control here.
Potato leaf hopper insects will often feed on Japanese maple resulting in "burned" or "scorched" appearance on leaves that resembles the distorted growth and appearance associated with herbicide damage.
For chemical control recommendations, consult the Insect and Plant Disease Control Manual, UT Extension Publication 1690, found here. Please contact your local Extension office for specific pesticide recommendations.
Suggested Substitutes
Suggested Substitutes
Keep in mind that it is always a good idea to plant a diversity of material so that a new insect or disease arriving on the scene will not decimate your landscape!!
Instead of planting a plant that is commonly riddled with insect pest and diseases, find one from our list of suggested substitutes from UT Extension Specialists, found here. Read more in UT Publication 'Screen Plants for the TN Landscape', found here.
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