sally white asked 16 years ago
I have an Acer palmatum ‘Orido nishiki’. This year the main stem of the tree at the top has gone white and black and all the stems that are leading off of it haave not leafed, although there are buds,where the rest of the tree has. can you tell me what this could be. I am really concerned that it could be a serious disease and that I will lose the tree.
1 Answers
Gerry Daly Staff answered 7 years ago
Japanese maple has an alarming tendency to die-back, especially if it is challenged by its growing conditions …. too windy, too shady and the soil too wet.
The tree simply does a ‘cut back’, not being able to keep all parts going!
Sometimes a disease called coral spot exploits a struggling tree and causes the dieback.
Cut away any dead bits, mulch the root area with well-rotted leaves and give a light shake of potash or tomato food.
If  and when, it settles down, it will re-grow from lower down.
