How to spot maple
- Opposite, lobed leaves with the classic 'maple leaf' shape
- Helicopter seeds (samaras) in spring or fall
- Silver maples grow fast and big with weak, brittle wood
- Brilliant red, orange, or yellow fall color
Maples are everywhere here, and not all maples are created equal. Silver maples especially grow fast and develop weak, narrow forks and brittle limbs — which is why they're frequent storm casualties and a common reason for our removal and cabling calls.
On maples we keep an eye out for verticillium wilt and the structural weak points — co-dominant trunks and tight forks that split. Catching a weak fork early with a cable can save a tree that would otherwise tear itself apart in a storm.
Common problems we see on maple
This is general guidance from three decades of tree work across the Philadelphia area — not a formal diagnosis. When it matters, we'll come look at the actual tree and give you a straight answer, free.
Brennan Tree Service has cared for trees across the Philadelphia area since 1994.
Frequently asked questions
Why did half my maple suddenly wilt?
Often it's verticillium wilt — a soil fungus that clogs the tree's water vessels, sometimes one side at a time. Many maples live with it for years; if big limbs start dying over the house, get it assessed.