UMaine Extension advises raking leaves to avoid spread of tar spots, WAGM reports

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

October 3, 2019 Cooperative Extension, Outreach, UMaine in the News

WAGM (Channel 8 in Presque Isle) reported officials with University of Maine Cooperative Extension recommend the public rake leaves to avoid the spread of tar spots. Tar spots are raised, black spots that form on the upper surfaces of maple leaves due to a fungal infection, according to the report. The fungi that cause tar spots overwinter on infected leaves that fall to the ground. The following spring, the fungi produce spores which are carried by the wind and can re-infect susceptible foliage at bud break, if weather conditions are right, WAGM reported. The most effective management strategy is to rake and destroy infected leaves in the fall. UMaine Extension officials said the application of fungicides to control tar spots is typically not recommended because complete coverage of all infected leaf surfaces is necessary and can be extremely difficult and costly.