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Help with acer

We’ve just noticed our Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum looks like it’s dying. There are some new buds on it, but other branches and buds appear to have died. It’s been in place for 18 months and we haven’t previously had any other problems with it. I’ve scratched the bark lightly on a few small areas where it looks dead, and there is no green visible below. Please can you help. Thanks

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    It's not looking good. 
    I'd leave it alone until new growth starts. Then you'll see for sure which parts are dead. 
    Devon.
  • This looks like the effects of a fungal disease called verticillium wilt. To make certain you'd need to cut out some of the dead wood and check for a black ring on the cross-section and black marks down the stem under the outer bark.

    I have this on my own acer. It's been attacking the plant every year and I try to prune out the affected growth back to clean wood where possible in winter. In spite of this, my plant is growing pretty well. I can't see a lot of healthy wood on yours, though, so you may not be able to rescue it. Some varieties seem a lot more susceptible than others, I don't know why. Perhaps a specialist Acer nursery would be able to advise you on a replacement?

    It's not all that difficult to spot which areas of the plant are still healthy--either with the 'bark chip test' you've just used, or less invasively by simply looking closely at where the new leaf buds are red and shining, and where they are dull and brown--in the latter case, the branch is dead and you will have to trace it back to see where to cut.
  • gtcstvrgtcstvr Posts: 16
    This looks like the effects of a fungal disease called verticillium wilt. To make certain you'd need to cut out some of the dead wood and check for a black ring on the cross-section and black marks down the stem under the outer bark.

    I have this on my own acer. It's been attacking the plant every year and I try to prune out the affected growth back to clean wood where possible in winter. In spite of this, my plant is growing pretty well. I can't see a lot of healthy wood on yours, though, so you may not be able to rescue it. Some varieties seem a lot more susceptible than others, I don't know why. Perhaps a specialist Acer nursery would be able to advise you on a replacement?

    It's not all that difficult to spot which areas of the plant are still healthy--either with the 'bark chip test' you've just used, or less invasively by simply looking closely at where the new leaf buds are red and shining, and where they are dull and brown--in the latter case, the branch is dead and you will have to trace it back to see where to cut.
    Thank you. That’s really helpful. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is that the level it was planted in the pot? It looks like it's been buried.
    Most of them are grafted and there would usually be more trunk. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    That's what i thought @Fairygirl, but thought it was just me.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • gtcstvrgtcstvr Posts: 16
    Fairygirl said:
    Is that the level it was planted in the pot? It looks like it's been buried.
    Most of them are grafted and there would usually be more trunk. 
    Yes that’s the level it was in the pot and no it’s not a graft. 
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