Question
QUESTION: Carlo,

We have a Dwarf Japanese Maple in our flower bed as an accent tree.  It was planted about 5 years ago and has done fairly well until just recently.  Right now it has lost most of its foliage, and looks bare.  There seems to be a film over the foliage that is there and on the base of the trunk it looks like there may be some mossy growth.  

I know that this is not much to go on, but if you could point me in the right direction, I would very much appreciate it.  

Thank you,

Rick


ANSWER: Hi Rick,

Excessive humidity can create the right conditions for fungus to develop on maples.
Did the leaves died suddenly? where are you located?
Have you done any heavy fertilizing?
Can you send me pictures?

Let me know, and I will be able to help you better.

Carlo


You can send the pictures to:

[email protected]


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Carlo,

Thank you for your answers.  We live north of Dallas.
We have not done any fertilzing.  
I will send you some pictures of the tree.

Thanks,

Rick McMullan


Answer
Hi Rick,

I've got your pictures.

I think your tree is probably infected with a fungus called verticillium.
If that is the case, there's not much we can do about it.
Try cutting the affected branches and feed the tree with a high nitrogen content fertilizer.

Let me know how it responds to it.

Good Luck

Carlo