Is my acer diseased?

Posts

• Hortum-cretae Posts: 979

  February 2017

  Yep, those are dead patches. All you can do is remove the little stems that are completely blackened and keep the tree well fed (and watered in the dry spells), hoping the fungus (probably verticillium spp), won't spread further.

  H-C 

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• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  February 2017

  Thanks H-C I suspected some sort of fungus.
  I gave the whole area a 4" layer of rotted f/y manure in autumn, should I feed with something else too?

  I've also noticed that my Elaeagnus Quicksilver (approx 10ft) that's next to it apart from the very top looks mostly dead. It also has split bark along the length of a main branch - is it likey the same fungus?

  Last year from July to Dec we had almost no rain here, maybe that the drought has weakened the plants and allowed fungus to get hold

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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• Hortum-cretae Posts: 979

  February 2017

  Like any of us, if we're weakened we;re susceptible to attack from disease etc. So, possibly a shortage of food and water didn't help, but acers are renowned. They're often weak because they're grafted plants. Re the elaeagnus, possibly a coincidence, although the 'apart from the very top' bit tends towards fungal attack. They are tough, though, so a hard cut back may not do any harm. Your mulch will help, too. I wouldn't feed any more until grwoth is well under way.  Fingers crossed.  If the acer succumbs, for stem interest consider cornus 'Midwinter Fire', or euonymus alatus for its crazy winged stems and brilliant autumn colour.

  H-C 

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• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  February 2017

  Thanks H-C

  I'll give the quicksilver a hard cut back tomorrow, trim off the dead bits off the acer and keep everything crossed.
  Both your alternative suggestions would look good there, so I've made a note, but hope I don't need to refer to it

  Cheers
  Pete

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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