Common Crimson King Maple Tree Problems and How to Fix Them

The Crimson King maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’) is a popular landscaping tree appreciated for its striking deep reddish-purple foliage that lasts from spring through fall. However, this beautiful maple variety is prone to several issues that can threaten its health and appearance. As a gardening enthusiast, I’ve learned to recognize and address these crimson king maple problems to keep my tree thriving.

Overview of Crimson King Maple Issues

Through research and personal experience caring for crimson king maples, I’ve identified the following as the most common problems:

• Insect pests like aphids, scale, and borers
• Diseases like verticillium wilt, anthracnose, and powdery mildew
• Messy fruit and seeds leading to unwanted sprouts
• Surface roots that interfere with lawns and hardscapes
• Branch breakage from heavy snow or ice
• Intolerance to heat, drought, and pollution
• Susceptibility to storm damage

Paying close attention to your tree and being proactive can help avoid serious issues down the road. Let’s explore the top problems in more detail, along with solutions to treat and prevent them.

Major Insect Pests

Several insects target crimson king maples, feasting on the nutrient-rich sap. Heavy infestations can weaken and even kill trees. Here are the most common maple pests and how to control them

Aphids

Tiny sap-sucking insects that congregate on young shoots and the undersides of leaves. Aphids secrete sticky honeydew that can attract sooty mold fungus.

Solutions: Strong sprays of water can dislodge populations. Insecticidal soap or neem oil also control aphids. Ladybugs and other beneficial insects will help keep populations in check.

Scale Insects

Armored insects that attach themselves to branches and leaves to feed on sap. Heavy infestations cause yellowing foliage, dieback, and reduced growth.

Solutions: Prune out isolated colonies. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays for heavy infestations. Systemic insecticides that are taken up by the roots can also be effective.

Borers

Several species of moth larvae bore into trunks and branches, creating tunnels in the sapwood and heartwood that can severely weaken trees. Maple petiole borer and Asian longhorned beetle are especially damaging.

Solutions: Maintain tree health and avoid wounds that allow borers entry. Keep trees well watered and fertilized. Injecting systemic insecticides directly into trunks can kill larvae. For valuable landscape trees, call an arborist to assess and treat infestations.

Major Diseases

Maples are susceptible to several fungal diseases that can defoliate, weaken, and potentially kill trees. Practice prevention and be prepared to treat infections before they escalate.

Verticillium Wilt

Fungal disease that clogs water-conducting tissue, causing leaves to wilt and turn brown. Eventually leads to dieback of branches and whole trees.

Solutions: Improve drainage and avoid wounding roots. Fungicides applied by soil injection or as a root drench can help protect high value trees. Remove and destroy infected trees to prevent spread.

Anthracnose

Foliar fungus that causes leaf spots, defoliation, and twig dieback. Most damaging during cool, wet spring weather.

Solutions: Rake and remove fallen leaves to reduce spore load. Apply fungicidal sprays at bud break to protect new foliage. Ensure good air circulation around trees.

Powdery Mildew

White fungal growth on leaves that can cause premature defoliation. Most common during wet, humid weather.

Solutions: Improve air circulation around trees through proper spacing and pruning. Apply fungicidal sprays labeled for powdery mildew control at first sign of infection. Remove and destroy infected leaves.

Messy Fruit and Seeds

Crimson king maples produce abundant winged fruit (samaras) that lead to self-sown saplings popping up in lawns and gardens.

Solutions: Collect and dispose of fallen seeds. Promptly pull unwanted saplings when they emerge. Prune out seed-bearing flowers and immature fruit to reduce production. Installing mesh screens around trees can help catch dispersed seeds.

Surface Roots

Dense surface roots compete with surrounding grass and plants for moisture and nutrients. They can also crack sidewalks and interfere with mowing.

Solutions: Select planting sites carefully and allow enough space for root spread. Mulch around trees to discourage grass. Vertically mulch problem areas to redirect roots downwards. Carefully cut and remove roots as needed.

Branch Breakage

The large, wide-spreading crown and shallow roots make crimson king maples prone to breakage, especially when heavy snow or ice accumulates.

Solutions: Prune to develop a strong central leader and scaffold branching when trees are young. Remove weak or problematic branches. Hire an arborist to cable and brace larger trees. Reduce crown weight by thinning inner branches.

Intolerance to Stress

Crimson king maples perform best in evenly moist, fertile soils with cooler climates. They are intolerant of drought, heat, wind, salt, and pollution.

Solutions: Water trees during dry periods, especially while establishing. Mulch root zones to conserve moisture. Provide some afternoon shade if possible. Avoid pruning during heat waves. Use tree wraps to protect thin bark from sunscald.

Storm Damage

The large crown combined with shallow root system makes crimson kings vulnerable to uprooting and breakage during heavy winds and storms.

Solutions: Inspect soil around base of tree after storms and push any lifted soil back in place. Remove any broken or damaged branches but avoid unnecessary pruning that could further weaken the tree. Provide supplemental water until the tree recovers.

Maintaining Health is Key

By staying vigilant and addressing issues promptly, you can keep your crimson king maple healthy and minimize pest and disease problems. Proper siting, regular pruning, mulching, and occasional fertilization will go a long way in preventing issues. Identify and treat infections early before they escalate into something more serious. With a bit of care and proactive maintenance, you can enjoy the beauty of a crimson king maple for years to come.