In message , Zarch
writes

http://tinyurl.com/yeq28d

I suppose there are 2 options. One would be to treat the problem, but
with what? and Two would be to removed the problem branch, but where
do i make the cut? I'd have thought under the split where the first
blackness appears and lose the whole upper sections, but can anyone
advise please?? Obviously i dont want whatever it is to spread any
further so i'm looking to sort this out asap.


Cut below the bottom of the picture, at ground level or where the
affected stem joins another. Fresh growth next year should fill the
gap. It's better to avoid leaving a stub when you prune, except maybe
on fruit trees whose appearance doesn't matter.

Unless some more knowledgeable poster recognises the symptoms of Dreaded
Maple Lurgee, don't panic - the stem probably died for physiological
reasons (ie the bush grew too vigorously and ran out of minor
nutrients). This is very common, especially if the bush was pruned hard
last year, or transplanted, or the weather turned wet suddenly, or
overhanging trees were cut back, or anything that'd cause your bush to
make a sudden bid for world domination.

Your picture isn't detailed enough for fungi to be detectable; there are
pale growth marks on the peel of all the stems. If you think the ones
on the black stems are different a macro would help.

--
Sue ]