Sick Maples!

AHAWK

I'm having a maple emergency!

I have two A. palmatum in my garden both have been in the ground for about 4 years. Both have about 4 inch trunk caliper. This week they have started loosing branches and the bark has gone from green to red. The effected areas seem to be drying out as they die. The soil is moist but not soggy. It is imposible to check for root rot. I am at a loss. I have contacted the people at mountain maples and their nursery people are getting back to me.
Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Andy

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Bonsainut

Certified Arborist

TreeBay

If you cut through an affected branch and see dark striations in it, you probably have verticillium wilt. I will add a link on this to bonsaiTALK Links and you will be able to find it by searching on "verticillium"

It blocks the vascular tissue and the tree can't pump water up to the leaves, so they wilt and the limbs wither and die.

I am hoping it is not this as there really is no cure

Regards,

Matt

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AHAWK

Matt,

I fear the worst. I went out of town for a couple of days and things do not look good. I have been in touch with the people at mountain maples. They think it could be a bacterial problem in the roots. They were kind enough to send out a remedy they use at the nursery. I may have to remove both of these trees from my garden. I have not ruled out verticillium wilt. I did see some black striations within the branch structure. Both trees are trying to fight what ever it is thats affecting them. While all of the branches are dying the trunk almost at ground level is suckering and putting out new growth like crazy.
Thanks
Andy

TreeBay

Disinfect any tool you use to prune these or you may spread the spores that promote it to other trees.

15% bleach in water should be good for that.

Regards,

Matt

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AHAWK

Matt,

The link on wilt was very informative, thank you. I have also disinfected all of my tools and wire. My question now is what do I do sence the trees are in the ground. I will make the sacrifice and destroy the trees. The problem is that both of them are in the middle of a japanese garden, surrounded by azaleas, bamboo, and ferns. How can I mitigate damage to the soil, and prevent further infection. I would like to replace these maples someday.
Thanks
Andy