Japanese maple dying/dead - Ask Extension
Hello. We’ve had a young Japanese maple for probably 5 years. All of a sudden in the course of a week all the leaves have dried up. We’ve watered ...
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Japanese maple dying/dead #879637
Asked July 31, 2024, 4:28 PM EDT
Hello. We’ve had a young Japanese maple for probably 5 years. All of a sudden in the course of a week all the leaves have dried up. We’ve watered it throughout the summer. A few years back it had a beetle problem on the trunk (see pictures where bark was removed and cambium had turned to dust).
How to tell if it’s really dead?
It has been suffering for awhile ( the leaves would get crispy on the ends very early in the summer) but the leaves dried up very quickly this time. It seems really sudden to me. Is this normal for a tree that has been suffering for some time?
Can it be saved?
When should we replace it (in terms of the best season or time of year. We plan to replace it with a paper bark maple that is ~10 ft tall already.) any tips for successfully planting a paper bark maple - what kind of soil composition is best? How can we keep beetles away when it’s young to ensure it grows strong enough to withstand them?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Your tree looks dead or nearly so. Check twigs for signs of life, which means bark is moist if you scratch it. The coral bark maples, which yours seems to be, commonly struggle, then with stress of heat waves the leaves suddenly crisp as the plant fully dies.
Since it has been declining, choosing a replacement seems wise, but it’s your choice when to pull this current plant, if indeed you find signs of life.
I have two publications to share about planting a new tree. Some key items to look for in the instructions is planting depth and knowing what the trunk flare is. Also, do not amend a planting hole, but put the native soil back. Learn also how to reduce chances for girdling or circling roots.
The publication from WSU, here, includes helpful illustrations about checking roots of a plant you buy. Though fall can be a fine time to plant, it can be more difficult to find a potted tree with healthy roots, as many have been in the pots all summer. It really depends how the tree was cared for. For this reason, I recommend, generally, planting when you find a healthy tree. Avoid the hottest and coldest months, and in the wet season, let the ground settle out between storms so it isn’t too saturated with water.
Our OSU publication here is helpful as well. Make plans to properly irrigate your new tree. In fact, ODF is recommending summer watering of landscape trees in general. See information from them here.
You ask about beetles. I don’t find specific preventative measures. Growing a tree well is recommended, as stressed trees are more likely to have pests and diseases.
I hope this helps. Followup questions are welcome.
Since it has been declining, choosing a replacement seems wise, but it’s your choice when to pull this current plant, if indeed you find signs of life.
I have two publications to share about planting a new tree. Some key items to look for in the instructions is planting depth and knowing what the trunk flare is. Also, do not amend a planting hole, but put the native soil back. Learn also how to reduce chances for girdling or circling roots.
The publication from WSU, here, includes helpful illustrations about checking roots of a plant you buy. Though fall can be a fine time to plant, it can be more difficult to find a potted tree with healthy roots, as many have been in the pots all summer. It really depends how the tree was cared for. For this reason, I recommend, generally, planting when you find a healthy tree. Avoid the hottest and coldest months, and in the wet season, let the ground settle out between storms so it isn’t too saturated with water.
Our OSU publication here is helpful as well. Make plans to properly irrigate your new tree. In fact, ODF is recommending summer watering of landscape trees in general. See information from them here.
You ask about beetles. I don’t find specific preventative measures. Growing a tree well is recommended, as stressed trees are more likely to have pests and diseases.
I hope this helps. Followup questions are welcome.
