Hi everyone,

I am a major novice gardener, so I could really use some assistance with a problem I am having at the moment.

I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an "outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since. It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape" test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead. The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks dead.

I have very few plants and trees that return year on year in my garden, and this was a particular favourite of mine that I would be gutted to lose, so any advice or assistance would be much appreciated.

Sorry if I am using the wrong terminology, but I am desperate for some help!

Many thanks,

Steph

Hi Steph, Firstly, please let us know where you live ? Secondly, is this Acer planted in the ground or is it in a tub ? Finally, would you say where you live was near any old existing trees/woodland ?
Lannerman

On 05/08/2011 08:18 PM, sbonline wrote:
I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont
know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an
"outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has
grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange
coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since.
It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few
different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape"
test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out
of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several
places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead.
The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks
dead.


Hi Steph,

It certainly is the season for Acer problems, sorry you've got one too.

The "scrape test" is definitive, if it shows brown not green then that
part of the plant has died. The only thing to mention is that Acers
often have damage along one side, before concluding the branch is dead
make sure to scrape in a few different places around the circumference,
if you see what I mean.

The dead parts should be cut off. On the theory that some sort of
pathogen has caused the die-back, cut slightly down into clean (living)
wood on each branch. Use a sharp secateur and clean with alcohol
between cuts. Don't treat the wounds with any sealant, just leave to dry.

Acers have one set of "emergency buds" that should come out on the clean
wood. If these also shrivel, then there's really no hope I'm afraid.

Sorry for the bad news as I know this will cause the tree to be pretty
mutilated, but if you stick with it, it will come back eventually,
hopefully. But I really don't see much option in this case.

Is it the case that the tree got too much or too little water this
winter? What you describe can happen if the roots stay very wet over
winter, Acers don't like this at all. If your soil is not free
draining you might want to consider moving the it if possible.

HTH

-E

"Emery Davis" wrote in message
...
On 05/08/2011 08:18 PM, sbonline wrote:
I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont
know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an
"outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has
grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange
coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since.
It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few
different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape"
test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out
of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several
places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead.
The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks
dead.


Hi Steph,

It certainly is the season for Acer problems, sorry you've got one too.

The "scrape test" is definitive, if it shows brown not green then that
part of the plant has died. The only thing to mention is that Acers
often have damage along one side, before concluding the branch is dead
make sure to scrape in a few different places around the circumference,
if you see what I mean.

The dead parts should be cut off. On the theory that some sort of
pathogen has caused the die-back, cut slightly down into clean (living)
wood on each branch. Use a sharp secateur and clean with alcohol
between cuts. Don't treat the wounds with any sealant, just leave to dry.

Acers have one set of "emergency buds" that should come out on the clean
wood. If these also shrivel, then there's really no hope I'm afraid.

Sorry for the bad news as I know this will cause the tree to be pretty
mutilated, but if you stick with it, it will come back eventually,
hopefully. But I really don't see much option in this case.

Is it the case that the tree got too much or too little water this
winter? What you describe can happen if the roots stay very wet over
winter, Acers don't like this at all. If your soil is not free
draining you might want to consider moving the it if possible.

HTH

-E

Going on from your last para, ours had a very very wet winter, BUT, didn't
flood. Others may be interested how it was situated. It was proud in its pot
so surplus water ran off. In a pot with drainage holes in another one, (The
Blue one in the picture) and that had drainage holes and it was standing on
gravel http://www.myalbum.com/Album=FMWHTXMP

Mike


--

....................................
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
....................................

"sbonline" wrote in message
...

Hi everyone,

I am a major novice gardener, so I could really use some assistance with
a problem I am having at the moment.

I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont
know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an
"outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has
grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange
coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since.
It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few
different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape"
test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out
of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several
places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead.
The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks
dead.

I have very few plants and trees that return year on year in my garden,
and this was a particular favourite of mine that I would be gutted to
lose, so any advice or assistance would be much appreciated.

Sorry if I am using the wrong terminology, but I am desperate for some
help!

Many thanks,

Steph

I too have a badly damaged Acer (Crimson King), 30 years old.

Although hardy trees, I think they may have been caught this year by that
early cold before they had lost their leaves and gone properly dormant, I
don't think its disease as I am hearing to many stories like yours for it to
be just a coincidence.

In my case I notice at the base of each dead stem are a cluster of new
shoots so I would not give up hope just yet

--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk

On 09/05/2011 12:38, Charlie Pridham wrote:

"sbonline" wrote in message
...

Hi everyone,

I am a major novice gardener, so I could really use some assistance with
a problem I am having at the moment.

I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont
know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an
"outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has
grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange
coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since.
It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few
different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape"
test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out
of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several
places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead.
The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks
dead.

I have very few plants and trees that return year on year in my garden,
and this was a particular favourite of mine that I would be gutted to
lose, so any advice or assistance would be much appreciated.

Sorry if I am using the wrong terminology, but I am desperate for some
help!

Many thanks,

Steph

I too have a badly damaged Acer (Crimson King), 30 years old.

Although hardy trees, I think they may have been caught this year by
that early cold before they had lost their leaves and gone properly
dormant, I don't think its disease as I am hearing to many stories like
yours for it to be just a coincidence.

I have lost one completely and had another with a growth check. It is
telling that the latter was in the warmest part of the garden. The one I
lost was sheltered from the wind but in a position where cold air could
pool on the coldest still nights. I suspect cold damage.

In my case I notice at the base of each dead stem are a cluster of new
shoots so I would not give up hope just yet

I think they got zapped by the November hard freeze. Looks like it has
also done for my fig tree which is showing no signs of breaking buds.

For the OP I would be tempted to leave it a bit longer before consigning
it to the dustbin. It might be a fungal disease but I would guess at
frost damage being the root cause.

Regards,
Martin Brown

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will cut back the dead parts and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again!

On 09/05/2011 10:45, Emery Davis wrote:
On 05/08/2011 08:18 PM, sbonline wrote:
I have an Acer in my garden - about 6 years old and 8ft tall (i dont
know the breed, but it is more of an "upwards" grower thank an
"outwards" grower).

Anyway, for the last 6 years I have been thrilled with the amount it has
grown and every year it has shown an abundance of red and orange
coloured leaves.

However, this year the buds appeared in April and have not moved since.
It still looks the same as in winter. I have had a look at a few
different bits of advice online and thought I would complete a "scrape"
test, which came up with some interesting results.

At the bottom of the tree is one main "trunk" which forks about 3in out
of the ground into 3 trunks. I have done the scrape test in several
places and the trunk is still alive, however 2 of the forks look dead.
The other fork is fine until about 3ft from the top where this too looks
dead.


Hi Steph,

It certainly is the season for Acer problems, sorry you've got one too.

The "scrape test" is definitive, if it shows brown not green then that
part of the plant has died. The only thing to mention is that Acers
often have damage along one side, before concluding the branch is dead
make sure to scrape in a few different places around the circumference,
if you see what I mean.

I do, Emery, and fully agree. But a novice might not and succeed in
ringbarking an otherwise viable trunk if they are not careful!

--

Jeff

You could try cutting back a little bit at a time, until you reach green wood, that way if htere is any life left in the two trunks you should salvage a bit more

On 05/09/2011 01:38 PM, Charlie Pridham wrote:
I too have a badly damaged Acer (Crimson King), 30 years old.

Although hardy trees, I think they may have been caught this year by
that early cold before they had lost their leaves and gone properly
dormant, I don't think its disease as I am hearing to many stories like
yours for it to be just a coincidence.

In my case I notice at the base of each dead stem are a cluster of new
shoots so I would not give up hope just yet

That's really too bad about your tree Charlie, it's awful when a mature
tree suddenly has problems. Sounds like it will pull through though.
In the last few years I've lost a mature 'Okagami' to die-back, it was
one of the first maples I ever planted, and really hard to see it go.
Mind you, my casualty list is pretty long by now, especially as I tend
to push the envelope a little.

Actually I wasn't making a case for a disease, just parroting standard
precautions for cutting back maples, since you never do know.

-E

On 05/09/2011 07:24 PM, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 09/05/2011 10:45, Emery Davis wrote:
[]
The "scrape test" is definitive, if it shows brown not green then that
part of the plant has died. The only thing to mention is that Acers
often have damage along one side, before concluding the branch is dead
make sure to scrape in a few different places around the circumference,
if you see what I mean.

I do, Emery, and fully agree. But a novice might not and succeed in
ringbarking an otherwise viable trunk if they are not careful!


That's for sure Jeff, I may have just advised her how to kill it!