Hi,

I have an Acer that has been living in my garden for at least 25 years. I’m very sorry to say that I think that it’s dying. The fine branches have turned white and very dry to the touch. When I cut the branches off, I find that they are brittle and they break and crumble very easy.

Last summer like all other summers, it was thriving. Towards the back end of the year, some chicken manure pellets was scattered on the soil near the Acer, but I’m not sure if this is responsible for its poor health.

Best wishes
Stephen

I am not surprised that your tree is diseased. of all the maples, acer
is the most prone. it is also the fastest to decay. what you
described is probably a fungus that affects the stems. if you want to
try to save the tree, start pruning. start at the tips of the major
limbs and work your way down til you see healthy wood. then treat the
tree and the area with a good copper fungicide. not much hope.