Crimson King died back to the root - Rubrum Maple death damage

9 years ago

Hello, I have muliple variety Maples.

The 2 Japanese Maples died back to the parts that were sheltered from the Winter....Snow is an amazing insulator. Now I know what to do about them, I think. Winter Coats for any parts higher than that, IF they ever grow past their new bonsai heights., lol

The Silver Maple, is happy happy.

The Acer Rubrum, was so very happy....(8 yr old tree) although last year it started to behave oddly, not forming keys & other issue, cant remember. This year however, the tallest part of it came out in Spring nicely, but then started to die/dry off to death, I am sad & unsure what happened or what to do. Cut it off? feed it?

The Crimson King Maple....always the slow starter here in my garden....this year however 97% of the main branch ball/top/crown, did nothing, 1 small section came to leaf, but also died back....now nothing going on, on top....a small sapling formed at the bottom & is shooting up rather well. but....the main tree seems dead....Not sure what happened, why, or how/IF it can be saved.

Help.

Thanks.

Happy Maple Day....for the rest of the Maple that are still beating their blood. Ã¢ÂÂ£

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Comment (1)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
1) Never fertilize plants under stress. They are unable to metabolize the fertilizer it tends to just stress them further.

2) This could be merely winter damage or it could be something more serious. Often, winter damage is the introduction some plant pathogens need to take hold and create far more serious issues. The only way you will know for sure what is causing the dieback is to take samples (and photos) of the problems into your extension office. They should be able to forward them off to a plant pathologist (if not one on staff) for an accurate diagnosis.

3) Your zone is really too cold for Japanese maples to thrive. Most are not rated below zone 5 and some only to zone 6. Check out some of the other Asian species of maples that are more cold hardy - Acer pseudosiebioldianum, A. triflorum, A. griseum, and some selections of japonicum and shirasawanum.
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