Yea, that's kind of what I thought, and I don't really have time right now to sit down and research what his Rx is. I did move some soil away from the trunk of that one tree, and in the next couple weeks I'll "cage" the trunks just to be on the safe side in case it is varmit damage. He was really informative and a pleasure to talk to, don't mind spending money on that kind of treatment. I really would like another small red laceleaf for the particular spot the deadwood is in (it really is perfect for the design) but he suggested not planting another one there but said I could go the plant-it-in-a-decorative-pot route. I may to that and haul it in the garage over the winter. English Gardens has 50% their pottery this weekend, they've got some really nice pots (and BIG ones), so I'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks everyone! I wanted them to match because I have placed them side by side to create a screen from my neighbors patio door. I have a Bloodgood next to my front door in a sheltered location. It thrives where it is. After our last winter, so many Japanese Maple trees suffered damage, not one but on this one! Soil was replaced many years ago, so it is in very deep, fertile soil. It puts on at least 2.5 feet a season! I have started a collection of them. So far I have, 2 Bloodgoods, an Emporer I, Azuma Marasaki, Waterfall, Crimson Queen, and a Tamukeyama.

B. sinica var. insularis = B. microphylla var. koreana. Same thing, Korean Boxwood or Littleleaf boxwood. The particular cultivars 'Wintergreen' and 'Winter Gem' are apparently preferred selections of the Korean boxwood and are not a microphylla japonica. Although some of the literature seems to say Winter Gem is a japonica. You have to admit that it's a bit confusing. While most Korean and Japanese boxwoods can bronze in winter sun, these varieties are less prone to that. 'Wintergreen' is also supposedly more resistant to some pests than the Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla japonica) and this selection may be somewhat different in ultimate size and bloom color. I would also suspect it to be hardier than its Japanese cousin, so this or 'Winter Gem' would be ones to look at for more northern climates. To confuse things, there are a number of Buxus microphylla var. koreana x Buxus sempervirens hybrids with the name 'green' in them, most hardy into zone 5. These include 'Green Mountain', 'Green Velvet', 'Green Gem'. I hope this helps!

That link was great, thanks! That looks exactly like what I'm seeing. Any idea if you can scrape back to healthy wood using a sharp sterilized pruning knife with this form of canker to save trunks/large branches? I wonder if this is more of a younger tree issue. One thing about this region is that there are old, abandoned apple trees everywhere around here. I've gone up and inspected some of these over the years. They haven't had any human intervention in possibly decades, yet continue to produce abundantly and never seem to have any major physiological issues, if any. Makes you think.