I planted this JM last summer in July and it was fine all summer. It failed to bud this year and is now dead. I noticed the bark looked grey and was wondering if the cold winter wind may have done this. I live in Nova Scotia. After reading several posts last week I decided to check under the bark and was surprised to see numerous larvae - my Mom thinks they are maggots that could have infested after the tree was already dead. Another thing to note is that when we moved in last spring there was a dead cedar tree we had to remove that was in the exact spot that I planted this maple. I have now bought a new JM and plan on putting it in this garden about 2 feet from the current site. I'm wondering if it was the cold wind or the insects that killed my tree and how to prevent this problem with my new maple.
I did water it everyday last summer. The pictures were taken this morning after 3 days of heavy rain so everything looks soggy right now.
A man calls me about consultation and his Japanese maples about 2 weeks ago. What you have sounds like how he described his trees. I ask, does the damage face the south or west. He says not really. I get out there, and sure enough, the damage faced the sun with both trees. And many times it does not, it's because the sunburn happened in the nursery, and then the bark peels loose over the period of a few years. The bugs are not the problem - my opionion. They are just finding a nice comfortable void to hide in. Can't prove it's sunburn, but sure looks like it. Usually the bottom of the tree, facing the light. That is the reason I won't take trees from the sunset end of a row in a plant nursery - not for my own yard, or for customers.
Thank for the info on sun damage. This tree got a lot of hot afternoon sun last summer that might have been the cause. I'm going to try my new tree in the same garden and cross my fingers that the same thing doesn't happen to this one.
Ignore the bracing in this photo - forget the reason for going so rigid. But the photo shows how I like to protect the tree trunks with window screen. Fold it in half and wrap it over the trunk and staple in back. Provides 2 layers of screen. Shades, and does not trap heat.
I took your advice on the window screening around the base when I planted my new maple last year in the same location. I was so happy to see it leafing out and now it is thriving!! Thanks!!
For those like me who stumble into a year old thread: Now I typically do other trees, only five acer palmatums at this point. Think about watering as a every 3 day type thing. Use your finger to figure out the moisture level of the soil a few inches deep. Then figure out how much water it will take to keep the soil moist for a couple days. My three foot transplants typically get about a half gallon to a gallon of water. Bigger trees maybe best with a sprinkler. I hate just watering a rootball and giving the tree's roots no encouragement to venture out into the yard.
