Acer disease

I have a 40 year old Acer that has suddenly started dying back. Some of the bark has begun peeling and what looks like Coral spot is growing along the lines of the dead bark.

Many of the branches are dying back.

I have just cut off all the dead and dying wood. The wood has a brown circle inside which reminds me of an old fruit tree that got silver leaf disease.

Anyone any ideas of what to do with it or what the problem is.

 

Sounds like it is probably a case of Verticillium, one of the main diseases of Acer's.
It's not an easy one, as treating a 40 year old tree is nigh on impossible. Leaving it for a while to see what it does wouldn't be a bad option, but my experience tells me that when these trees get this, decline will surely follow.

Check out this very good extension article for more info.

Verticillium Wilt of Trees and Shrubs





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A pic would help