A silver maple with one side of its canopy dying back while the rest looks perfectly healthy is a classic sign of verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus common in West Michigan.
The disease blocks a tree's water-conducting tissue, which is why symptoms often show up on just one branch or one side of the tree first. Wilted leaves, early fall coloring on affected limbs, and dieback that doesn't match the rest of the canopy are all worth a closer look.
There's no cure once a tree is infected, but catching it early can help determine whether selective pruning extends the tree's life or whether removal is the safer long-term option.
Our team inspects silver maples and other susceptible species across Grand Rapids, Ada, and Forest Hills to help homeowners make an informed call before the disease spreads further.
#VerticilliumWilt #SilverMaple #GrandRapidsMI #MonsterTreeGrandRapids
Authentic job photo preferred: a close-up of one-sided canopy dieback on a silver maple, discolored streaking under peeled bark, or an arborist inspecting an affected limb. Real diagnostic photos are more useful to homeowners than generic tree imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "One-Sided Dieback? Get It Checked" or "Verticillium Wilt in Grand Rapids Maples"