Lace leaf Jap Maple. Winter damage? - Ask Extension
20 yr old Japanese maple. Been happy and minimal maintenance for years always comes out in full in spring. Have not fertilized for more than 15 yrs. s...
Knowledgebase
Lace leaf Jap Maple. Winter damage? #241589
Asked May 04, 2015, 3:21 PM EDT
20 yr old Japanese maple. Been happy and minimal maintenance for years always comes out in full in spring. Have not fertilized for more than 15 yrs. see pics. Doesn't seem happy this spring. Should I give it a year and use winter stress as a working diagnosis. No cracked bark. No visible bugs. Haven't dug in soil to see roots. This tree is my baby. I'm hoping tough winter is to blame and time is the Rx. Thanxs
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
It's possible that it is winter damage. We also notice that the trunk flare at the base of the tree is not visible. It is not normal for a tree to have mulch piled over the base of it and this condition can encourage insect and disease problems. We recommend that you pull back the mulch from the base of the trunk so that the flare (where the trunk flares out and enters the soil) is exposed. Mulch should be no more than 2-3 inches. Mulching heavily year after year can essentially bury a tree. Try to mulch as lightly as possible.
Prune out all dead wood when you are clear what is dead. It may be able to slowing fill in enough that the shape remains pleasing.
ECN
Prune out all dead wood when you are clear what is dead. It may be able to slowing fill in enough that the shape remains pleasing.
ECN
