I have a Red Maple in the backyard that is approx. 30 yrs. old. Last
year
there was dieback on two of the center branches. All the other
branches
leafed out and looked OK. I went up on a ladder and had a look but
could
not detect anything. I scraped away some of the soil around the base of
the
tree and still could not find any girdling or insects/grubs. I
fertilized around
the tree in Nov. with 9-18-9.
This spring the Japanese Red Maple is in very bad shape. There is
a
lot more dieback in the center of the tree. Outer branches have leafed
out.
There are splits in the branches and bark is peeling off the tree.
Where
the bark is peeling the inner wood looks like it's getting sunscald or
the
discoloration happened first and caused the bark to peel off. The tree
is
also putting out new growth on the main trunk about 3 feet off the
ground.
I assume the tree is trying to save itself.
The only thing that I have found (on-line and Garden Club members)
that
seems to fit is something called Tight Bark Syndrome in Japanese
Maples.
There doesn't seem to anything definite on what causes it or how to fix
it.
Reasons range from patogens, generic, environmental and drought. Fixes
seem to be to careful pruning, low nitrogen fertilization and frequent
watering.
I'm looking for any information, suggestions or magic that you may
have.
I'd hate to lose this beautiful tree.
TIA