Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) is an iconic native hardwood that graces yards, ravines, and greenbelts across Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. Known for its expansive spreading canopies and heavy autumn leaf drops, mature maples often provide vital shade and character to older properties.
Over the past decade, arborists and forestry researchers at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have documented widespread bigleaf maple decline across the Puget Sound region. Prolonged summer droughts stress these moisture-loving trees, leaving them vulnerable to aggressive internal fungal decay pathogens.
One major threat is Sooty Bark Disease (Cryptostroma corticale). This fungal disease causes rapid crown dieback, bark stripping, and black sooty fungal spore layers that coat the wood beneath peeling bark. The microscopic spores pose potential respiratory hazards to tree workers and homeowners if mishandled.
Another deceptive killer is Kretzschmaria deusta (Brittle Cinder fungus). It forms flat, black, charred-looking crusts around the lower root collar that are easily mistaken for charcoal. Inside the trunk, the fungus breaks down structural wood fibers, causing massive multi-ton limbs or the entire multi-stem trunk to shatter without warning.
If your Olympia bigleaf maple exhibits heavy deadwood in the upper canopy, peeling bark with black soot, or shelf conks along the trunk crotches, schedule a comprehensive risk assessment immediately. Our crews can deadwood, crown-reduce, or sectionally remove dangerous maples before high winds cause catastrophic property damage.