Japanese Maple Leaf Spots: Phyllosticta (Purple Eye)

Circular brown spots with purple margins on your Japanese red maple = Phyllosticta leaf spot (Purple Eye).

Symptoms

• 1/4-inch spots, pale center, purple-brown border.
• Affects most maples, especially Japanese red.
• Cosmetic—little real damage.

Control

1. Fungicide at bud break: Mancozeb or Bordeaux mixture.
2. Repeat 2–3× at 7–10 day intervals.
3. Or spray now to protect new growth.
4. Sanitation: Rake/destroy fallen leaves.

Key

Preventive only. Once spots appear, fungicide protects only new leaves. Start early next spring.