Small Holes in the Branches of my Japanese Maple

Discussion in 'Maples' started by tibbonious, Oct 24, 2006.

  1. tibbonious

    tibbonious Member

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    I have a Japanese Maple 'Sango Kaku' that's about 5 feet tall and has been in the ground almost a year. Recently I noticed that in a couple of it's branches there are small holes in the "V" between the leader and the offshoot. This must have been caused by a critter of some kind, but after searching this site and others I can't be sure exactly what it is, or what to do about it. Help!

    Here is a picture (sorry ,I don't have a macro lens on my camera so it's not that great, but you get the idea).

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/lildaddy/DSC05105.jpg

    Has anyone here had a similar problem? What should I do about this? I would hate to lose this tree!

    Thanks in advance,
    Tom
     
  2. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Tom, I can't see clearly but is the hole 'D' shaped?

    Newt
     
  3. tibbonious

    tibbonious Member

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    Hi Newt, thanks for the reply.

    No, the holes are almost perfectly round, a little oval perhaps, but almost like someone (something?) took a 1/8" drill to it. The holes are dark inside, like they go deep into the branch. This concerns me.

    And, as I said, all of them - there are three that I noticed - are right in the "V" between two branches. I should probably cut the branches off and see if I find the critter that caused the damage, but one of the holes is in the middle of the trunk of the tree, so that would be a bit drastic. The other two are on one branch so maybe I should just start there. Or maybe I shouldn't do anything and just see what happens next spring??

    I was hoping someone out there has run into the same problem and could tell me what they think I'm dealing with. Maybe it's not an insect after all and it would just grow over in time?

    Tibbs
     
  4. globalist1789

    globalist1789 Active Member

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    Is is possible that it is where a "nub" had been left from where a twig or branch had broken off? I might just be where the dead wood is rotting out? If so I don't think there is much that can be done for it, but maples are great at healing over large wounds.
     
  5. tibbonious

    tibbonious Member

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    Thanks for the reply globalist.

    I don't think it's where a branch broke off, since each hole is just above where a branch is already growing. I wish I could send a better picture, but if you picture the branch coming off another branch, the hole is just where the smaller branch is growing off the larger trunk. Maybe it's a result of the trunk growing faster than the branch and it left a hole that the branch was supposed to fill? I just noticed the other day one of the branches where this has happened has now broken off, leaving just the hole. It's just weird since I have other Japanese Maples where this hasn't happened, and I can't seem to find anyone else who's seen this.

    I guess I'll just leave them and see what happens next year. But if you or anyone else has any further thoughts on this, please let me know!

    Thanks again,
    Tom
     
  6. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I think it's some type of borer but I've not found info on one that bores in the spot you talk about. From this site:
    http://canada-gardens.com/2pileatedwoodpecker.html

    Also see this site.
    http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache...0.html+maple+++borer&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5

    Maybe you can google and get info on these.

    Newt
     
  7. tibbonious

    tibbonious Member

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    I've thought it may be a borer of some kind - I actually found this same website you posted - the problem is I haven't been able to find one of the buggers, so I can't tell which one it is. I don't see any of the other signs like eggs on the bark, sawdust, or those squiggly trails on the outside of the bark. But even if I guessed right it sounds like there's not much I can do. Just take better care of the tree. I admit that I may have let the tree get a little stressed during this dry, dry summer we had. But it looked great this fall with it's brillant orangish yellow foilage, so it wasn't that taxed.
     
  8. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Possibly the wayward actions of a sapsucker. They make a series of holes on larger trees, but your Japanese maple isn't all that large. The holes should only pierce the cambium layer and go no further.
     
  9. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Tom, you said, "I admit that I may have let the tree get a little stressed during this dry, dry summer we had. But it looked great this fall with it's brillant orangish yellow foilage, so it wasn't that taxed."

    Stressed trees will often show more color due to the stress. Sometimes trees that are stressed will show fall color in summer, so that's not an indicator that all is ok.

    Newt
     
  10. tibbonious

    tibbonious Member

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    Hmm, Newt. I never thought of that. I just hope I wasn't the cause of this! I took a summer vacation in the heat of the season and had someone look after my garden, but was maybe too casual about telling them to keep the the younger trees well watered.

    Although if it was a borer it may have already been there when I bought me tree, escaping and leaving holes after I planted the tree in my garden.

    I don't think it could have been caused by a sapsucker, ginseng. The holes are too small and the wierd thing it they are all in exactly the same place above a branch.

    I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed; I suppose I shouldn't try to fill the holes with something ??
     

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