Laceleaf Japanese maple didn't leaf out on the other half of its' branches. Any ideas why?

Question

I live in zone 5 and it's always been a healthy tree. It's been staked for the past couple of years and I just removed the stake this spring. Where leaves did appear, they look good -- healthy and good color. It's planted in a bed with astilbe, bleeding heart and stonecrop. Anyone have any ideas why my Japanese maple didn't fully leaf out this year? Thanks!

Answer 1

You say that only half of the branches leafed out.  That tells me one of three things.

One, there is a wound on part of the trunk, or:

Two, someone or something has disturbed the roots on one side -- probably on the side opposite the no leaves, or:

Three -- animals.  Do you have any possibly for deer in your garden?  They tend to rub against trees (if they don't eat them).

Lacey leaf Japanese maples are usually very tolerant and disease resistant.