On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 19:43:26 +0100, "hugh janus"
wrote:

for a few years ive had a small Japanese maple tree in a pot and it has
always done well,but this summer it was attacked by scale insects, and all
the branches are dead,( i didn't spot it in time) i was about to dump it
when i noticed a small bud on the trunk,this grew and an abundance of leaves
came off it,now the leaves are dropping off what should i do now? do i cut
all the dead wood back ( so im just left with the trunk) the tree is only
about 18 inches tall i think the species is garnet but im not to sure
thanks in advance

I would suggest you keep it in a sheltered place and not too wet,
througout the winter, without cutting anything off. Leaves will
naturally be dropping now. Acers do readily sprout again, even from
the trunk. By the end of winter you will know for sure which bits are
dead and can cut them off then. Truly dead wood will snap off.
Hopefully there will be some new buds in Spring. When it sprouts give
it a seaweed spray to encourage healthy growth. Mine get a sort of
mealy scale (not sure of identification) which are dealt with by
spraying when first noticed.
It may not look very attractive at first but in a few more years.
Good luck.

Pam in Bristol