Can I save a maple with dying branches - Ask Extension
I have a maple tree with several dead branches straight up the middle of the tree through the canopy. These dead branches have not produced new leaves...
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Can I save a maple with dying branches #873176
Asked June 14, 2024, 9:31 PM EDT
I have a maple tree with several dead branches straight up the middle of the tree through the canopy. These dead branches have not produced new leaves over the last year or two, and it seems to be spreading to other branches as one branch has yellowing leaves now in the middle of June. There are no obvious signs of fungus or cankers on the affected branches or the unaffected branches, and nothing looks wrong about the trunk. However, the affected branches are losing bark peeling off in sheets. The tree has not experienced any flooding or water shortages, and doesn’t have any storm damage either. My main question is whether there is anything I can do to save the tree? Can I trim the affected branches? The damaged branches are right up the middle of the main trunk. What do you think this is and what can I do about is?
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
1. This tree is seriously ill and probably structurally unsound.
The sequence is a bit hard to figure out, a picture of the lower foot of the tree (with that brush removed) might help me with this. The tree may have been planted too deep and developed stem girdling roots that prevented adequate nutrients from passing up the trunk, accounting for disease and death at the top of the tree.
After that the tree appears to have developed Stegonosporium Canker chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/plant-health-clinic/docs/2012_Plant_Health_Clinic_Newsletters/Plant%20Health%20Clinic%20Newsletter-Issue%2014.pdf
2. An alternate possibility is that the tree was invaded by gloomy scale, which turned the trunk black as sweet honeydew supports the growth of a sooty mold. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/gloomy-scale-1 However, the death of large branches is atypical for this.
3. A third possibility is heart rot but you do not see mushrooms. For this reason, I am inclined to go with 1.
The tree is young and appears to by dying. You should consult an arborist for further information and to advise you on the trees structural stability if you decide to try to cut off dead limbs. If you do cut a large central dead limb, the cross section will probably tell you the story.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
1. This tree is seriously ill and probably structurally unsound.
The sequence is a bit hard to figure out, a picture of the lower foot of the tree (with that brush removed) might help me with this. The tree may have been planted too deep and developed stem girdling roots that prevented adequate nutrients from passing up the trunk, accounting for disease and death at the top of the tree.
After that the tree appears to have developed Stegonosporium Canker chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/plant-health-clinic/docs/2012_Plant_Health_Clinic_Newsletters/Plant%20Health%20Clinic%20Newsletter-Issue%2014.pdf
2. An alternate possibility is that the tree was invaded by gloomy scale, which turned the trunk black as sweet honeydew supports the growth of a sooty mold. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/gloomy-scale-1 However, the death of large branches is atypical for this.
3. A third possibility is heart rot but you do not see mushrooms. For this reason, I am inclined to go with 1.
The tree is young and appears to by dying. You should consult an arborist for further information and to advise you on the trees structural stability if you decide to try to cut off dead limbs. If you do cut a large central dead limb, the cross section will probably tell you the story.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
