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I bought a Japanese Maple as an imported tree last spring. The tree looked okay for a few months. New buds and leaves formed, but now the branches are starting to dry out and die.
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Dieback can be a problem with Japanese Maple. As you've already discovered, it is important to treat wounds carefully. This includes cleaning up wounds with a sharp knife and covering them with cut-paste to promote fast healing. It's also a good idea to disinfect your tools when moving between maples to guard against transmission of fungal and viral diseases.
This may sound extreme, but believe me, if you have ever lost a specimen tree to Verticillium wilt, you'd think otherwise.
Verticillium wilt which is a soil borne fungal disease, which is becoming all to common. You can actually hear an MP3 file on this subject
Dieback MP3. Basically, the fungus invades the tree through its root system or open wounds and disrupts its ability to conduct moisture through its tissues. Unfortunately if wilt is the cause, there isn't really a cure. Some trees can be encouraged to outgrow it and capsulize the affected tissue. If you see striations in the wood of the tree when you cut through affected portions, it is most likely wilt. You would need to prune back past the affected portions. Destroy (do not compost) any affected leaves, branches or soil.
Here is a pdf file on
Verticillium wilt
Good luck with your tree.
Regards,
Matt
16-Jul-2002
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