
What It Means if Your New York Maple Tree Grows Spikes
I've lived in my house in Newburgh, NY long enough to have seen everything there was to see in my backyard... or so I thought.
This morning I noticed a strange phenomenon on one of our beloved maple trees: what looked like spikes growing out of several leaves (below). Here's what it means if your trees start to sprout "thorns" as well.
Growths on New York Trees: Harmless vs. Dangerous
Growths on plant leaves can range from completely harmless to dangerous. Cedar apple rust, for example (also known as "exploding hearts", below), grows on cedar trees but can be devastating for nearby apple trees. Luckily, the "spikes" on maple leaves are something completely different.
Maple Spindle Gall Mites in New York
The growths on my maple tree are classified as "galls", and like grape tube galls and oak leaf midge galls, the spikes on the maple leaves are actually homes for tiny animals, specifically maple spindle gall mites. Here's what it means for your tree:
The good news, according to the Penn State University extension, is that maple spindle gall mites are generally harmless to your maple tree. While over-infestations may cover so many leaves that it begins to interfere with the tree's photosynthesis process, maple spindle galls on select leaves should not pose a threat.

While I dodged a bullet with the gall mites, it's always a good idea to monitor changes in your plants and trees. From invasive animals looking to make a meal of your garden to trees that look beautiful but are harmful to the ecosystem, owning property can be a full-time job. Take a look at some invasive plants to watch out for below.
New York State's Invasive Plants To Be On The Lookout For
5 of New York's Most Devastating Invasive Species
Gallery Credit: Karolyi
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