Autumn Blaze Maple Dying Limb by Limb: Borer Infestation

Maple Decline with Bark Trails and Holes: Borers at Work

Your Autumn Blaze maple loses limbs yearly—leaves turn fall colors early, limbs die, bark peels showing trails and 1/8-inch holes. Sevin dust didn’t help. This is borer damage (likely flatheaded or roundheaded borers).

Treatment

• Spray trunk and affected areas with Merit or Onyx (systemic bark-penetrating insecticides).
• Fertilize: 10-10-10 at 1 lb per inch trunk diameter, scattered and watered in (before rain). Boosts vigor to resist borers.
• Water 1 inch every 3 days in dry spells (pan method).

If borers girdle the main trunk, the tree dies. Act now.