Help! I have a Japanese Maple that's loosing leaves (possibly to aphids, there are 1/4 inch long white flying insects on the limbs) and some of the branches did not leaf out this spring. There are vertical tears at the base of the trunk that may be causing branches to die. I have not used mulch or fertilizer in the 10 years we've been watching the tree. Really looks now like we're going to lose it. Thanks in advance for your help, Ralph Darby
FLATID PLANTHOPPERS (Flatidae) Not aphids. Probably FLATID PLANTHOPPERS (Flatidae) or another form of Leafhopper. They do make cuts into bark to lay eggs and pierce tissue to suck plant juices. Danger of transmitting disease. Many Homoptera are considered harmful because of their feeding damage that causes plants to wilt or loose their leaves. The very act of laying eggs can harm the plant and can cause leaves to curl and brown. Gall forming phylloxerans include pests of nuts and fruits. Mealybugs and whiteflies are major pests of plants grown in greenhouses. Some aphids and leafhoppers also transmit pathogens that cause plant diseases. The honeydew excreted by Homoptera promotes the growth of mold, which interferes with plant photosynthesis. Photographs of pest species and their damage are available at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Web site Insects That Feed by Sucking Plant Juices. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ornamentals/part1.html
Check planting depth Your tree has been planted for 10 years, correct? Has there been a change in the grade at the base of this tree? Check for surface roots and be sure that top most roots do not have more than...say 1/4" of soil covering them. The damage at the base of the trunk could be sunscald or mechanical damage. It could be the result of a grade change. Check for borers at this point and treat if needed. I might go as far as transplanting it, yes... even in August. Perhaps raise the planting depth by a few inches. Construct a watering berm, mulch well(remember to keep mulch about 3" away from trunk) and water extremely well. Repeat as needed.
