I am new to these boards, if this is in the wrong place I apologize. We have a Weeping Japanese Maple tree that is about 5 years old. It has bloomed beautifully in the past, but this year we are noticing more and more branches without any leaves. Mostly on the underside. The tree is in a shaded area and gets minimal sun, is up on the top of an incline, and we water it every night. I have started pruning off the dead branches, but I don't want to go to far. What could be wrong? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Some die back over time of the underside branches of dissectums can be normal, especially those receiving little light. You can carefully remove them. If we are talking about more external branches, that is another matter altogether. I would also not water the tree everyday.
Could it be frost damage? It happens to mine most springs to some degree and I am in Zone 6. But that would mostly affect the outer, exposed branches. I just cut off, whatever appears still dead after the leaves have been out for a while, cheer the trees (I have 3) on and they do fine. :) Best, Olaf
Well, I think we figured it out. I took a branch to an arborist and while talking I brought up that we had recently added soil to the base of the tree. Apparently we added too much and the poor thing couldn't breathe! We took off the excess dirt...I'll keep you posted in a few weeks. Thanks for all the advice!
