I have two Acers in pots, grown from germinated seeds some 13 years ago. One
Palmatum (red) the other Dissectum (lime green). Having recently repotted
both plants earlier on in the season, they have exceeded my wildest
expectations, flourishing and producing lots of new foliage. Imagine my
horror when my palmatum started to wither and drop its leaves. The leaves
dry out from the tips backwards and eventually fall off although the stems
are still perfectly green. The decline started from the new growth and has
worked its way down to the oldest branches. There is only one layer of
leaves still remaining, this has happened in 10 days. I had problems with
scale mite last year, but with a lot of care and attention, managed to rid
the trees without too much damage.
One outstanding feature I have noticed is along the whole length of some of
the branches, half the girth is green and the other bark brown. This is not
something that has happened this season, it has been present for some time.
I have toyed with the idea it could be Verticillium wilt, but shudder with
the thought that this could be sudden death for my most prized tree.
Should I lift it and examine the roots? If any one could offer any advice I
would be eternally grateful.
Debs