Town of Munster Indiana

Verticillium Wilt is a fungal disease that is prematurely killing Maple trees.  There is a number of Norway Maples in Munster affected by this soil borne fungus.  The fungal disease is quite common and has been around for many years.  Wet years like this one can make the problem worse.  Symptoms are the dieback on one branch or side of a Maple tree that otherwise should not be dying, then the whole tree eventually dies.  The following is a link to a good site that talks about Verticillium Wilt.  http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/450/450-619/450-619.html 

If a tree has Verticillium Wilt and is cut, the fungus is still in the soil and can affect a newly planted tree.  Do not replant with a Maple tree. There are a few other species which also should not be planted, such as Redbud, Tulip Tree, or Elm.  The best ones on the list to plant where Verticillium Wilt is found are Honey Locust, Zelkova and White Oak.