Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look at the pattern of the spots to see if they follow the leaf veins.
- Check the soil moisture level to see if the tree is dehydrated.
- Examine fallen leaves for signs of fungal growth.
Likely causes
Anthracnose
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see irregular brown or black spots on the leaves, often along the veins. In severe cases, the leaves may wither and drop prematurely.
What to do: Rake up and dispose of all fallen leaves to prevent the fungus from overwintering. Prune out dead or diseased branches to improve airflow through the canopy.
Leaf Scorch
PossibleHow to tell: This looks like brown, crispy patches between the veins or at the edges of leaves. It happens when the tree cannot get enough water to the leaves during hot, dry weather.
What to do: Ensure the tree gets deep watering every 7 to 14 days during dry spells. Apply a 3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your silver 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Anthracnose is rarely fatal, but it can look unsightly. If the tree drops most of its leaves early for several years in a row, it may need professional treatment.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area under the tree clean by removing debris in the fall. Proper spacing and pruning help keep the canopy dry and less prone to fungal growth.
Silver maple: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your silver 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I spray my tree with fungicide?
- Fungicides are rarely necessary for established trees. Good sanitation and keeping the tree healthy are usually enough to manage the problem.
- Will my tree grow new leaves?
- Yes, if the tree is healthy, it will often push out a second flush of leaves once the weather warms up and dries out.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Silver maple
- Why does my Silver maple have white cottony stuff on the branches?
- Why is my Silver maple dropping leaves in summer?
- Why are my silver maple's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my silver maple's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my silver maple drooping?
- Why is my Silver Maple showing signs of root rot?
- Why are my Silver Maple's leaves curling?
Back to the Silver 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.