AusBonsai

Hi all
My maple needs help. This my first attempt at bonsai some 35 plus year ago. The leaves are wilting and dying eventually the branch end up dying. The bark is also seems to be peeling on the trunk. Advise would be much appreciated

That branch is gone. It could have been caused by sunburn or root rot leading to sap withdrawal. When the right time comes, the tree should be washed clean of all soil and pruned back to healthy tissue.

I have also seen this happen to Japanese maples. I think it is a fungal infection, probably in the roots. When the roots die, some, occasionally all, of the trunk above follows including any branches those roots were feeding.
From what I can see, only that section is affected this time. I have been trying to keep Japanese maples a bit drier over winter to help reduce this happening.

Thanks guys
This has only just started over the last few weeks. Wondering if emergency repotting and partial defoliating would help save this old tree
Cheers RodM

rodm wrote:Thanks guys
This has only just started over the last few weeks. Wondering if emergency repotting and partial defoliating would help save this old tree
Cheers RodM

No! repotting or defoliation now will weaken it further. Best bet is to keep it protected (not too much) and allow to dry between waterings. In late March ( or just before the leaves start colouring) you can repot, but you it very thoroughly.

Agreed. Leave it alone but keep it slightly dry rather than always wet. Just don't let it get too dry. The dead part is unlikely to recover but the rest looks OK. I'd probably try a fungicide registered for root problems as a safety measure.

Thanks guys have place it in dappled shade and out of the hot wind
Cheers RodM

shibui wrote:I have also seen this happen to Japanese maples. I think it is a fungal infection, probably in the roots.

Agreed - I've managed to kill a number of maples and these die-back like symptoms commonly indicate a fungus in the roots.

Another symptom is that the heart wood in the dead sections is dark grey or black.

shibui wrote: I'd probably try a fungicide registered for root problems as a safety measure.

Now that I know what's happening that'll be my immediate response. Normally I'm "zero chemical" in my garden but it's nigh impossible to manage once it's taken hold.

ps. When the bark starts splitting and spore capsules start appearing, it's too late to do anything other than stop other trees getting infected.