November 13, 2017

The Unsightly Signs of Fall

Pest Leaf Tar Stains Disease MapleFall may be famous for its beautiful tree colors, but it’s also known for some other unsightly things. Specifically, trees can have webs, tar spots and sap on display during the fall season. While each of these are largely cosmetic and don’t pose an immediate threat to your trees, it’s comforting to know their cause and keep an eye on them for good measure.

If you’ve driven on long stretches of highway, you’ve probably seen large webs in the canopy of trees. If you think these webs are the result of spiders – think again! These web nests are home to fall webworms, which are present year-round, but most noticeable during the larval stage when the caterpillar produces its webbed nests.

Tar spots often appear on maple trees. These spots are the result of a fungal disease, but thankfully the fungus doesn’t present a real health problem for the tree. The tar often begins as yellow spots, and as time passes, they eventually turn into larger dark circles on the leaves. The fungus only attacks the leaves, so the rest of the tree should remain unaffected.

Sap is part of a tree’s vascular system, and the tree relies on it to carry water and nutrients to different parts of the tree. Depending on the season, a tree may produce more sap. If a cut is made in the tree trunk, sap may seep out. To limit the bleeding, it’s best to prune your tree at a specific time of year. However, if you do experience some bleeding, there is no need to try and stop it.

If you have a question about any of these cosmetic conditions, please contact Silver City Tree Service. We’re happy to provide a free consultation and make a professional recommendation.