My Acer is Threadbare.

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by krafty, Apr 17, 2007.

  1. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
    I have a 4 ft Japanese Maple and it has thrived very well so far,but this year all I have is a few pathetic leaves at the base of the tree and just twigs everywhere else.Can I prune this woody mass or should I leave it and see what happens as there is no sign of new growth up the top.Help please.Thankyou.
     
  2. Celia

    Celia Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    693
    Ratings:
    +1
    Try s c r a ping the bark on a thick twig and see if it green underneath, if it is dry and brittle then I fear the worst. Sorry [​IMG]

    [ 17. April 2007, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: Celia ]
     
  3. Blackthorn

    Blackthorn Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Messages:
    1,630
    Ratings:
    +4
    Hi Krafty. Where is the tree kept, in the ground or a container?
     
  4. whis4ey

    whis4ey Head Gardener

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    1,341
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    N. Ireland
    Ratings:
    +803
    Have you a pic? That would help enormously
    Some of these trees are slower to leaf out. Yours may just be a little lazy this year
    I would prune nothing until you are sure what is dead and what is alive. Some die back is normal with a Japanese Maple and can be snapped off
    Whatever you do, be very careful not to damage any emerging buds
    What is its history as regards siting, watering, fertiliser, pot/no pot etc
     
  5. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
    <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t96/blueboy8_photo/acer002_edited.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
     
  6. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
  7. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
    Sorry about the upper html...gawd knows what happened there.You will notice that the branch with the leaves on is green..good sign??? :D
     
  8. Gogs

    Gogs Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2006
    Messages:
    3,713
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Dumfriesshire
    Ratings:
    +342
    [​IMG] In my experience of these they will not tolerate bitterly cold draughts,the leaves go back & don't form properly.
    Ideally best kept out of these conditions if at all possible.(maybe not the culprit in your case though).
     
  9. sharon

    sharon Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2005
    Messages:
    97
    Ratings:
    +0
    Last winter was my acers first one. The same thing happened to mine and my neighbour was insistant that it doesnt like our lane as its too windy and to pull it up, but as it was a present i couldnt, so i just cut all the bare branches, or rather large twigs that didnt have any sign of life. So far this year i have a much healthier plant with no bare branches. I am not certain it will settle here, but there is certainly hope, so unless yours is in a spot where you defintately need something to be growing fast, i would hang in and see what happens.
     
  10. whis4ey

    whis4ey Head Gardener

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    1,341
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    N. Ireland
    Ratings:
    +803
    Yes, in so far as I can tell, those branches look fairly dead to me
    I would be inclined to do the same as Sharon suggests and cut off those that show no signs of life
    A few years ago I had a Omurayama that had died right back, I cut off the dead wood and, lo and behold, it grew back
    It is now 4 feet high and strengthening every year
    So all may not be doom and gloom
    As to why this has happened ....
    Is it too wet
    Or too dry?
    Or got a severe frost?
    Or too much wind?
    You might have to look carefully at the soil and where it is sited
     
  11. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
    Thankyou everyone for your input and I will cut down the dead wood and hope it gains some strength through this action.I think the area is too dry to be honest and it can get windy but it has shelter from a raised bed.I will do as you suggest and take it from there.Thanks all...you certainly know your stuff...shame I don't..lol. [​IMG]
     
  12. johnbinkley

    johnbinkley Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2007
    Messages:
    387
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired chem lecturer
    Location:
    Bolton
    Ratings:
    +5
    Hi Krafty,
    Here's a photo of mine. In a pot all it's life and I do nothing but water it. Suppose a feed is due?
    John [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  13. krafty

    krafty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    32
    Ratings:
    +0
    Sob...mine was going like this and now it's so pathetic I think I will have to start again.Thanks for your answers and I am going back to bed because I am gutted.Lol...beautiful Acer John...can I have it???
     
  14. whis4ey

    whis4ey Head Gardener

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    1,341
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    N. Ireland
    Ratings:
    +803
    John ... that is one stunning acer to be growing in a pot
    Probably Bloodgood to be so vigorous (or a variety of it)
     
  15. elainefiz

    elainefiz Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2005
    Messages:
    1,724
    Ratings:
    +1
    John,that is so beautiful. [​IMG]
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice