NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) – Fungus affecting maple trees has some people worried about fall foliage in the Merrimack River Valley.

In southern New Hampshire and parts of Massachusetts, some maples have already begun turning brown and dropping leaves.

John Cyr, superintendent of operations in North Andover, said some people are panicking when they see the dead leaves, because they think the trees are dying.

The fungus affecting trees this year means colors may be a bit muted this autumn, but the condition is not permanent. The trees should be better by next spring. Arborists say most maples with browning leaves either are affected by tar spot or anthracnose fungi.

Tar spot looks like black drops of tar on the leaves. Anthracnose turns the leaves brown, often following the pattern of the veins.