@jeannettesoutharddwyer: Those black “tar drops” on maple leaves can look alarming—but they often point to a fungal disease called tar spot, not pollution or chemical burn. 🍁⚫ The fungus can infect leaves earlier in the season, while the dark, thick patches become much easier to notice by late summer and fall. On otherwise healthy maples, tar spot is usually more cosmetic than dangerous. One useful fall step is to remove or manage heavily infected fallen leaves, since the fungus can overwinter in that leaf litter and contribute to next season’s disease cycle.

Jeannette Southard-D

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Friday 09 October 2026 01:59:08 GMT