Question
My large maple tree has about half of it s leaves turning black, and wilting. Some have fallen off. Over the last couple years, it has started to drop leaves in August. I also noticed a small maple in the backyard with wilted leaves. I am in NH, so it is a bit early in the season. Is there hope? what can I do?

Answer
Sounds like Maple anthracnose a disease that effects the leaves and is intensified in wet spring weather. It may make the tree shed its leaves prematurly but normally will not kill the tree. The tree may leaf back out after drier weather in the later spring or summer. No control is normally recomended but one can us a fungicide but it should be sprayed on just before bud break and will need to be repeated several thimes. The fallen leaves should be raked up and distroyed to remove some of the disease spores that may reinfect new leaves. Here is a web link to information on maple anthracnose.
http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/dx/CB/maptab.htm