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Pests & Diseases - Australia

Old Japanese maple needs help

19 years ago

My question comprises two parts. I have inherited an old (so I'm told) Japanese Maple (clueless regarding the specifics except its about 2.5/3 mts tall and a trunk girth of about 45-60 cm??). It it looking very sad and its condition includes:

a) Leaves brown at the tips

b) Lots of branch die back. Some bare and very brittle, others bare for most of their length with some new(er) shoots closer to the trunk.

c) Holes (sort of large borer-like) and bark being stripped off - underneath I occassionally find a worm-like white larvae?

d) Ants up and down the tree in a reasonably constant stream (are these two working together?)

I'd like to try to save this tree since I believe its about 70 years old (verified by previous, and previous-previous property owners) and quite pretty (well, when OK...). Maybe the specific variety just dies around this age?

First question:

Can/should I do anything immediately to assist it in some small way?

Second:

Can anyone point me towards someone who knows what they are doing? I'm in Bentleigh, Vic (South East of CBD). There are obviously arborists about, but I really would like someone I can 'trust' to give me a professional opinion I can count on, since I know absolutely zip about Maples.

Any resources (websites, names, etc would be much appreciated.

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Comments (2)

moreton
19 years ago
Hi Programmer,
Sounds like your tree is suffering, suggest you contact a reputable tree surgeon ASAP. The tree is suffering from fungal attack, old age, borers, die back etc, so needs treatment on all fronts to save it. Yes it will cost some money, if you want to try to treat it yourself, Please e-mail. Without actually inspecting the tree in person the right treatment is only guessing. Arboricide, fungal treatment,pruning out deadwood, and sealing up wounds and holes will take a lot of work. Good luck. Peter r
Programmer
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for your response Peter. I finally got onto a guy that 'seemed' to know what he was talking about. He confirmed its age (+-10/15 years). As I thought it is a victim of the drought we've had down this way. This is what he recommended:

- Cut dieback back to just above new shoots

However he said it'd never be the same as the new shoots were from 'dormant' buds caused by the stress. I asked re sealing etc and he didn't think it was important... Same with borer/holes. I guess he figured treatment was only like Aspirin with a cold (treating the symptoms only).

He also mentioned that it had been 'scorched', and reitererated the need for JM's to have some shade. I'm however interested in looking at the possibilities of fungal problems you mention. Any particular reason you mentioned this? Since he lived in the general area he said he'd drop by next spring and see whether it was doing any 'recovery'. If it wasn't, he stated, it might be time to say goodbye.

I did forget to ask about on-going treatment from now, should I just keep up the water? Maybe do a mulch etc around the tree? It's on the front lawn. What sort/type of feed do I use with JM's, and when should I apply it? I should have asked all this and silly me was more interested on 'fixing' more immediate problems...

Any worries you have regarding the given diagnosis please feel free to explain. Further, any other advice would be appreciated

Cheers
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