Fungal leaf disease affecting Hanover Park maple trees

Hanover Park is reporting a new fungal leaf disease affecting several maple trees in the village.

The leaf disease Rhytisma acerinum, or tar spot, is only cosmetic and does not cause serious health damage to the tree.

Tar spot leaf disease looks just like its name suggests, black spots that look like tar on the leafs.

The disease only affects maple trees.

Hanover Park advises residents who find tar spot on their trees to bag the affected leaves and put them out with yard waste to help prevent the fungus from spreading.