Knowledgebase

Japanese maple not doing well #854852

Asked November 07, 2023, 7:46 AM EST

The underside and north-facing sections of our several years old Japanese maple no longer leaf out and have brittle branches. We do not see any visible signs of disease, no mold, insects or unusual spots. We consulted several different tree books even those specializing in Japanese maples but none of them cover this issue.

Orange County North Carolina

Expert Response


Maureen

I suggest you soil sample around the dripline of the tree now.  Sampling is free up to through Thanksgiving. 

Then, wait until spring when the tree starts to leaf out.  Give me a call on my cell:<personal data hidden>

Remind me that we spoke in the fall and ask me to come out and assess your tree.  

respectfully,

Mart Bumgarner

OC Cooperative Extension Agent, Crops and Horticulture

I hope this helps. Replied November 09, 2023, 8:48 AM EST
Hi Mart and thank you so much for this message. We submitted the soil samples and will let you know what we learn. In the meantime, we took these photos of damage to the trunk caused by deer. Of course wondered if this damage is also having a negative effect on the health of the tree. We could try to protect the trunk with wire, which we’ve seen on other trees. 

Do you have a recommendation to protect the trunk?

Thanks.
Maureen
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On Thu, Nov 9, 2023 at 8:48 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied December 06, 2023, 12:59 PM EST

Those injuries look pretty bad.  The second photo where you see the 'dead' wood and rounded bark is where the tree is healing.  That is an old injury.  I am not sure the damage is deer.  I would expect to see more damage in the canopy if it were deer damage. 


I suspect the first and last image are where the tree was damaged this year.  

Adding wire will certainly help if it is deer, but I suspect the damage may be disease instead of deer.  


Can you confirm the damage was not there one day and appeared fresh and new the next (indicating it is deer).  There are some diseases (Canker disease) which is fungal.  To me it looks a bit like a canker.  You are there on site and better to judge.  

Or better yet, it could be the old bark is just sluffing off.  When I zoom in, it looks like bark under the outside layer suggesting the bark is ok underneath.  

Give me a call and schedule an appointment for a site visit.  I'll come take a look if you like. <personal data hidden>. 

Mart Bumgarner

I hope this helps. Replied December 07, 2023, 5:17 PM EST
Thank you Matt. I will give you a call on Monday to schedule an appointment. 
Maureen

On Thu, Dec 7, 2023 at 5:17 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied December 09, 2023, 4:18 PM EST

Sounds good.


I hope this helps. Replied December 09, 2023, 11:12 PM EST

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