QuestionThere is a red fungus looking material on the underside of the leaves on my sugar maple trees. It seems to be contained at this point to the lower branches. Some of the leaves have holes in them like something is eating them. These trees were planted last spring and I really would be able keep these trees and am hoping this is nothing serious or at the most be able to be treated.
AnswerThese are gall mites and do not realy effect the health of the tree. The life cycle of the mite makes it difficult to control the mite after it has layed its eggs on the leaf and the leaf cells have covered the eggs. I would not worry about this since it does not cause any damage to the trees growth. The populastion of mites wil vary greatly from year to year so next year you may not see any.
