Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Striped maple · Acer pensylvanicum

Why are there spots on my striped maple leaves?

Seeing spots on your striped maple is less common and usually points to fungal issues rather than simple care mistakes. Check the underside of the leaves for signs of pests or fungal spores first.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny insects.
  2. Look for fungal spores or fuzzy growth on the spots.
  3. Check if the spots are concentrated on older or newer leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Leaf spot fungus

    Possible

    How to tell: You will see small brown or black circles often with a yellow halo around them. These spots may grow and merge as the infection spreads across the leaf surface.

    What to do: Remove and destroy any infected leaves to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the tree by thinning out crowded branches. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.

  2. Aphid damage

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for tiny insects on the undersides of leaves or sticky honeydew residue. Their feeding can cause discolored, mottled spots to appear on the foliage.

    What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off. If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap according to the label instructions. Repeat the treatment every 7 days until the pests are gone.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your striped maple

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly or causing significant leaf drop. A few spots on older leaves late in the season is perfectly normal.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around the base of your tree clean by raking up fallen leaves in autumn. This prevents fungal spores from overwintering in the soil.

Striped maple: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your striped maple and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off all the spotted leaves?
Only remove leaves that are heavily damaged or dying. Removing too many healthy leaves can stress the tree and reduce its ability to make food.
Can these spots kill my tree?
Most leaf spot diseases are cosmetic and rarely fatal to a healthy tree. However, severe infections year after year can weaken the plant.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Striped maple

Back to the Striped maple guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.