What's going on with this Japanese maple tree?

Question

In my front yard there's this Japanese maple and I have noticed that some of the limbs are slowly dying(rotting). The tree is still alive but each year there's a little bit of a dead limb sticking out. Is there anything I should do to stop the rotting/dying and also is it ok to saw off the dead limbs and when?

Thanks so much for your answer.

Answer 1

dead wood can be pruned out anytime..... look close and see if the dying branches aren't some that are inside the tree where little sunlight gets to them.... those are the branches that die on my tree..... it's like the tree stops supporting them because they are not making food for the tree... they can't if they don't get sunlight.....

if your tree is otherwise healthy, just remove the dead wood  as it happens....

Answer 2

Japanese maples are susceptible to a number of diseases, but something as simple as a lack of water can is one of the most serious problems for Japanese maples. Trees in the full sun or in windy sites often suffer from excessive drying even during minor droughts. Symptoms of drought damage include browning or necrosis of the leaf margins and twig dieback which might be what you're seeing.  Drought may also predispose to other problems such as fungal cankers.Three other root problems are common and may produce the same symptoms as drought. Verticillium wilt is a vascular disease that is initiated by root infection. In addition to leaf wilting, branches or the entire tree may be killed. Soil nematodes are small parasitic worms that feed on roots. By destroying the trees fine roots, less water is taken up and wounds are created which allow entry of verticillium. Symptoms are wilting and leaf dieback as well as an overall thinning of the trees. Phytophthora root rot and root collar canker are common diseases associated with wet sites. Excess water in the soil weakens the roots and allows for easy spread of this water mold. Early symptoms are similar to a nematode attack, death of the tree can occur more quickly.Japanese maple is susceptible to a number of leaf spot diseases that may disfigure leaves and cause early defoliation. The major foliar diseases are anthracnose, Phyllosticta leaf spot and Pseudomonas tip blight.

There are several insects that may attack Japanese maples. Leaf feeders include the Japanese beetle. Scales can also cause the decline of otherwise healthy trees. The major scale insect pests are cottony maple, cottony camellia, oleander, and cottony taxus scale. Aphids often feed on leaves producinghoneydew that encourages the growth of black sooty mold fungus on other leaves or on surfaces beneath the tree.Proper pruning of Japanese maple is essential for tree health. Annual light pruning is preferred to maintain tree size, shape and health. When pruning is done infrequently and heavily, the tree may be devitalized due to the loss of food storage and food generation capabilities. Sunscorch may also result from heavy pruning that may lead to in bark injury and cankers.

All in all, the japanese maple is an infuriatingly tender tree which, IMO, has been outrageously overplanted.