Unusual Maple Deformity

[Bowhunting Guy]

Hi Guys,

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction on the attached photo (sorry it turned sideways). I have a number of maple trees in a particular area of my property in northern Wisconsin that have this unusual bulge. I’ve seen it in numerous maples of varying size, from saplings to 12” diameter. The deformity always appears to be about 5 feet up on every tree that I notice it on. Surprisingly, the crowns on all of these trees look to be healthy.

Has anyone experienced this before? Disease, bugs, etc? Should I cut these all down to prevent it from expanding?

Thanks for any advice.

[kevinsnieder]

Hi Guys,

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction on the attached photo (sorry it turned sideways). I have a number of maple trees in a particular area of my property in northern Wisconsin that have this unusual bulge. I’ve seen it in numerous maples of varying size, from saplings to 12” diameter. The deformity always appears to be about 5 feet up on every tree that I notice it on. Surprisingly, the crowns on all of these trees look to be healthy.

Has anyone experienced this before? Disease, bugs, etc? Should I cut these all down to prevent it from expanding?

Thanks for any advice.

I believe this is a canker. I have heard different people say they can spread in the wind which seems really strange to me but I have no reason to doubt them.

I would cut these trees myself


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[mountainvan]

That is damage done by a maple borer.

[DrTimPerkins]

I think you're both (Bowhunting Guy and Mountainvan) right. Although the photo is very low resolution and hard to see much detail, it appears that the original wound may have been from a maple borer, but it was later infested with Eutypella canker.

Cut it, get the affected section out of the woods, and burn it to prevent spore release.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/sites/default/files/publications/na-gr-1_how_to_identify_and_control_the_sugar_maple_bore r.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev2_043571.pdf

[Bowhunting Guy]

Thanks for the great info guys (and for the PDF’s Dr. Tim). I will take your advice and cut these trees.