Minnesota Foresters Seeing Stressed Silver Maples And Elms

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota foresters say they're seeing many silver maples and some elm trees with stunted or no leaves but an abundance of seeds this spring.

The Department of Natural Resources says these trees are not dead and will rebound over the next couple of years.

DNR forest health specialist Brian Schwingle says it's happening to silver maples from Minnesota to Ohio. He says environmental stressors and natural cycles of large seed production are contributing factors.

The DNR says heavy seed production means less energy is available for leaf development, causing stunted and sparse patches of leaves. That happens periodically with elms, maples, ashes and oaks.

While gently watering trees during periods of drought is important, fertilizing stressed trees is not recommended.

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