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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous Trees > Maple > Small twigs with green leaves on ground

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Maple > Leaves > Small twigs with green leaves on ground

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  • Image: Gray squirrels 1
  • Image: Gray squirrels 2

Gray squirrels

  • Unusual numbers of complete, green leaves laying beneath the tree
  • Whole leaf sections are removed from branches and dropped to ground
  • Damage usually occurs in late spring, early summer
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  • Image: Maple petiole borer 1
  • Image: Maple petiole borer 2
  • Image: Maple petiole borer 3

Maple petiole borer
Caulocampus acericaulis

  • Green leaves with a portion of the stem to fall to the ground
  • Larvae bore into leaf stem as it is still attached in the canopy; full grown larvae are 1/3 inch long
  • Sugar maple is preferred host
  • Damage noticeable in late May, early June
  • More information on Maple petiole borer

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