Tar Spot: Identifying Characteristics
Identifying the injury: | Shiny black, roughly circular spots with raised surfaces on affected leaves. Later in the season, "spots" may fall out of leaves leaving holes. |
Identifying the pathogen: | The black spots are actually the fungal reproductive structures (stroma) and contain tiny, microscopic spores. |
Susceptible trees: | Mostly maples, willows and hollies in Florida. |