Hi,

I had my new house for just one year and i think the maple tree next to my house is having problem. Currently, it has some leaves but certainly far less than some other trees in my yard. My neighbor said it could be dying. I was worried and checked it closely and saw some bugs around some old cuts of the trunk. I cannot tell which type of bugs they are and whether they are harmful.

I attached the pictures of one branch with the most leaves (in case it is a different type of tree) and the bugs.

Could anyone please tell what they are?

Thanks

Chris

@chrisben
Many people like some anonymity, but would you consider sharing with us what region of the country this tree is in? It may help. Also, can you take a clear photo of one leaf for identification purposes? and stand back and get one photo of the entire tree.

I am living in suburb of Chicago. Here are more pictures. Thanks

I don't recognize the insects on your trees, but they appear they might be doing damage somewhat similar to a borer? If an old dead limb breaks off, do there appear to be tunnels leading through it?

I would get a hold of your county extension office and see if they could send someone out very soon to look at it.
If they can't get to you for weeks, maybe call a tree service about identifying what they are?
If that isn't possible, then perhaps get an insecticide to kill the active insects and buy yourself some time. I've been battling borers for a couple years (I appear to be finally winning), but they have done a lot of damage to two of my redbud trees...

I've been using a combination of Bayer Insect, Disease, & Mite Control spray and Bayer Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed liquid (basically a systemic liquid you pour around the tree base), and have had good results. A friend also started using the Protect & Feed over the last year for borers on one of her maples and she reports good results as well.

For clarification, please, you say you had you new house for one year. Is this a new construction house built on a site with existing older trees? Sometimes during the construction process, even though the builder attempts to protect existing desirable trees, the roots and bark may be damaged during construction putting stress on the tree which later gets sick and dies.

Just guessing, but for the insect, look up Aradidae.

chrisben said:... some old cuts of the trunk...

This is where many trees begin to decline. Once the trunk is damaged it's difficult for the plant to stay healthy. I agree with J.C. Seek on-site consultation.

Other possible contacts include; an arborist, a knowledgeable tree service or your local Master Gardeners group. I had one of our local Master Gardeners out to check our pines and there was no fee involved.

Welcome to ATP, Chris, and good luck with your tree.

Thank you all for the help. My house was built on 2006. I bought it last year. I think the tree is too close to the house and the construction might cause some damages. We also had one branch cut before we moved in, which was too close to our house. My neighbor said it was a beautiful tree but it looked not so great the last fall. This spring it seems wake up much slower than other trees, and I do not see enough leaves so far though I still saw buds all over the tree.
I do not really have an old dead limb. All branches seems ok so far with at least some leaves. The cut I showed is on the trunk and 4 feet from the ground.
I will be out of town this week for vacation but I will see whether I can buy some insecticide to apply so it can buy me some time for now. I am a lazy person and did spend too much time on my yards. However, I certainly do not want a tree die at my watch :-(.

I sent the picture to the forest reserve affairs and they suspect the bugs are Springtail. I compared it with google images, it seems the right answer. Guess it is not harmful to my tree. Thanks again for your suggestions

Thanks for the update, Chris.

Thank you for keeping us up to date. I'm glad you learned that they are springtail.

However, you might keep an eye on the tree and if you see it decline further notify one of the persons listed above to take a look at it. The springtail might not be the cause of the problem, but may be a symptom of it. There could be rot/moisture/damage issues that are attracting the springtail, but caused by another insect or disease.

thanks. will dol