The lower branches off o... - Ask Extension
The lower branches off of the larger branches of my red maple have no leaves this spring. What would be the "bud" is dry. I see no signs of caterpil...
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The lower branches off o... #129834
Asked May 26, 2013, 1:31 PM EDT
The lower branches off of the larger branches of my red maple have no leaves this spring. What would be the "bud" is dry. I see no signs of caterpillars. I did lime my yard in early spring. Could this be the cause?
Calvert County Maryland
Expert Response
Is this a red maple, Acer rubrum, or a Japanese red maple, Acer palmatum? If it is a Japanese maple, the cause is probably a disease called Verticillium wilt. If it is a red maple, the cause could be an insect called a twig borer. In both cases the dead material should be pruned out. The red maple long term will probably be ok, the twig borers are mostly just a nuisance. However Verticillium wilt can eventually kill a Japanese maple. Pruning out the dead material and keeping the tree well watered will help. If you wish to discuss this further you may email me directly at <personal data hidden>.
I have a red maple-acer rubrum. I don't see anything but will prune out the effected branches. Any pesticide that helps? Also, what is good fertilizer for this tree? Thank you for the advice.
Suzann Faughnan
Suzann Faughnan
There is no treatment recommended for twig borer on red maples.
You did mention lime in the earlier post. Red maple can sometimes get manganese deficiency as a result of too high a pH although the symptoms you mentioned do not really sound like Mn deficiency. Here is an article on Mn deficiency in red maples.
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/20432/em8905-e.pdf
I would not put any fertilizer on this tree. You might want to have a soil test done around the tree and if the pH is above 6.5 consider lowering the pH to 6.0 with elemental granulated sulfur. Test the area from the trunk to beyond the drip line a distance equal to 1/3 the diameter of the canopy. (If the diameter of the canopy is 21 feet, you should test the soil within the circle which is 7 feet beyond the edge of the canopy). Test to a depth of 6 inches. Make sure you are getting only soil, not mulch or leaf litter from the surface. Take 8-10 samples within the area all around the tree. Combine the samples together and mix them up well. Then take out about a cup of soil to send to the soil testing lab. If you have questions about soil testing etc. I suggest you email me directly at <personal data hidden>.
You did mention lime in the earlier post. Red maple can sometimes get manganese deficiency as a result of too high a pH although the symptoms you mentioned do not really sound like Mn deficiency. Here is an article on Mn deficiency in red maples.
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/20432/em8905-e.pdf
I would not put any fertilizer on this tree. You might want to have a soil test done around the tree and if the pH is above 6.5 consider lowering the pH to 6.0 with elemental granulated sulfur. Test the area from the trunk to beyond the drip line a distance equal to 1/3 the diameter of the canopy. (If the diameter of the canopy is 21 feet, you should test the soil within the circle which is 7 feet beyond the edge of the canopy). Test to a depth of 6 inches. Make sure you are getting only soil, not mulch or leaf litter from the surface. Take 8-10 samples within the area all around the tree. Combine the samples together and mix them up well. Then take out about a cup of soil to send to the soil testing lab. If you have questions about soil testing etc. I suggest you email me directly at <personal data hidden>.
