Acer shirasawanum Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce the tender new growth of Shirasawa Japanese Maples to suck sap. As they feed, they excrete a sugary substance known as honeydew, which creates the sticky residue on leaf surfaces.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of young leaves and stem nodes for tiny, green or black crawling insects.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the plant to eliminate the aphid population and stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

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2 Wash the leaves with a gentle stream of water to remove the sticky residue and any remaining insects from the foliage.

3 Monitor the plant using yellow sticky traps to catch any newly emerged aphids and prevent a secondary infestation.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf petioles of the maple, extracting nutrients. Like aphids, they excrete honeydew that coats the foliage in a sticky film.

Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, stationary bumps or hard scales on the branches and petioles that do not move when touched.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the foliage and stems to eliminate existing scale insects and their eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Physically remove visible scale clusters from the stems and leaves using a soft brush or cloth to reduce the infestation.

3 Wipe the sticky honeydew residue off the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent the growth of sooty mold.

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Sooty Mold

While not the primary cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows specifically on the honeydew left by sap-sucking insects. It can make the leaves feel gritty and look dark or obscured.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the sticky residue is accompanied by a black, powdery coating on the leaf surface.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and treat the underlying sap-sucking insects (such as aphids or scale) using an organic insecticide to stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Gently wash the leaves with a soft cloth or a mild horticultural soap solution to remove the black sooty mold and restore photosynthesis.

Bonide Captain Jack's Insecticidal Super Soap 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

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3 Monitor soil moisture levels to ensure the tree is not under environmental stress, which can make it more susceptible to pest infestations.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

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Scale/Coccids (Soft Scale)

Certain species of soft scale inhabit the crevices of Japanese Maple bark and release honeydew that drips onto lower foliage, causing widespread stickiness.

Common

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How to confirm: Examine the main trunk and larger branches for any waxy or resinous secretions.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the tree to eliminate the scale insects and their eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Gently wash the sticky leaves with a soft cloth or a low-pressure water stream to remove the honeydew residue and prevent sooty mold growth.

3 Inspect the crevices of the bark for any remaining scale clusters and prune away heavily infested small branches if necessary.