Maples dying off in whole community

Question: Our community maple trees are all dying. Is there anything we can do to prevent further spread of diseases? We live across from Patapsco State Park and am also concerned about the forest.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 23, 2023, 12:20 PM EDT
response: Hi,  It doesn't appear to be a disease on the maples but it looks to be that they have been in decline for awhile. These look like old injury from either a mower or weedwhacker and they are older trees as well. This can be typical of urban/suburban grown trees that are getting older too. Heat stress in urban environments (and reflective heat from roos, driveways sidewalks and roads), soil compaction from nearby sidewalks, mowing, turf play, etc can all effect the longevity of the trees. Red maples and sugar maples tend to like more water, and can become stressed in high heat so during periods of drought and high heat in the summer, it is a good idea to supplement water. That may help with reducing stress to them and prolong their life for now. We definitely recommend contacting a certified arborist to assess them to tell for sure what is going on and to provide insight on any fall risk.  The first photo doesn't have a mulch area in the root zone, so rain water percolating through to the soil will have a harder time getting through grass than a mulch surface. Mulch also tends to keep the roots cooler and when it decomposes adds organic material and nutrients back to the roots/soil. Also the compaction issues form years of mowing as mentioned. The second photo is near the sidewalk so the roots of that tree have to work their way around hard surfaces, plus not getting water through the impervious surface of the concrete, and the heat in the summer. Salt spray from winter treatment of sidewalks can also stress trees. The third photo looks like it was mulched too high up against the trunk through its life and that can smother the tree, shortening the life span and causing stress.  Trees in forested areas tend to fair much better with the natural environment, less compaction, cooler from surrounding trees, and leaf litter decomposing adding nutrients back to the soil.  Reaching out to an arborist would be the best and safest way to have the trees assessed. If it is throughout the community, maybe your HOA or community management company would be able to seek out a certified professional.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 23, 2023, 7:04 PM EDT
response: There is a black fungus growing on all the trees that are dying. Would that kill them?On Thu, Mar 23, 2023, 12:20 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 24, 2023, 10:56 AM EDT
response: No. We think the blackish things we can see growing on the bark are a type of moss or lichen, which are totally harmless. You can learn more about this here:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lichen-algae-and-moss-trees Without being able to see the leafy canopy of the tree it's hard to tell, but we suspect that the tree has been stressed for a long time and the canopy may have dieback and dead leafless branches so that the top would be thinning. The tree can't feed itself without the bark either. This page will be helpful to you: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree If the tree is in fact failing and its fall would threaten people or property, you should remove it sooner rather than later. Licensed and insured tree experts can remove trees, or you can have an ISA-certified arborist, who is a tree health expert do an onsite evaluation of the tree and your options. Most larger tree companies have them on staff or you can search the credentialing agency website http://www.treesaregood.org    Christine