At the beginning of spring about 2/3 of my Japanese Maple died. I cut that back and painted where I cut and until about a week ago everything seemed fine but now it appears that the rest of it is dying. The temperature here in Memphis TN was 100 or over for about a week but we have been having above average rainfall for August also, It is raining here today so I couldn't look properly without drowning but it looked like that at the base of the trunk, right at the ground, it has something going on. I am not sure what. Whether it was rotted or diseased?? Does anyone know what it could be. The tree is about 12 or 15 years old. Shirlmo
if the leaves are drying out in hot weather then there are a few ideas to consider: The tree's root system is damaged and it cannot take up water fast enough on dry days to keep up with leaf transpiration The tree has a vascular disease such as verticillium wilt or has been physically damaged and cannot get the water up from the roots via the trunk fast enough to keep up with leaf transpiration The tree may be in afternoon only sunshine, the leaves cannot adjust to the fast appearance of the most intense sunshine of the day, unlikely the problem as you mentioned the tree is 15 years old and it sounds like this problem is new.
Jimmyq, Is there anything that can be put on the tree to take care of the verticillium wilt or do I just watch it die? Do you suggest cutting it down? I have two other Japanese Maples in the front yard. What are the chances it spread to them? Shirlmo.
Thanks, you are probably right. There is a regular maple tree dying down the street and I am just worried about the two mature Japanese Maples in my front yard but Oh! well!! worrying won't help either. :)
