By Scottish
Edinburgh,
Scotland 
Acer Palmatum 'Eddisbury'
Can someone please help me identify what may be wrong with my Acer.
Last week it had a bad case of Aphids - I sprayed and this seemed to work. The foliage on one of the branches appeared to have what I thought was a bit of frost/wind damage therefore I have provided a bit of protection with some fleece for the last week.
On removing the fleece today - I noticed one of the other branches seems to be suffering from something. Please see attached pictures.
As you can see everything above this 'whatever' is clearly dying off - just below the damage is another leaf joint - am I able to cut it off to stop the damage travelling further down?
As usual thank you for all your advice in advance!
24 Apr, 2012
Answers
Bamboo to the rescue again :))
Thank you - I've done as you suggest - cut both stems back to where it is healthy. I'll keep my eye open for further signs. I can see no signs of scale infestation - which did affect one of my other acers last year (your advice re meths seems to have worked on that one).
If this starts on other branches - is it best that I just remove the whole plant?
24 Apr, 2012
All the time its got 70 percent healthy growth, I'd leave it - if it starts to look more like 30 percent, take it out. I hope it doesn't bleed too much where you've cut back, they do that this time of year. I find putting water on the cuts helps to stop it if it is.
24 Apr, 2012
Is that Acer growing out from the side or under the decking as the photos seem to imply?
24 Apr, 2012
No MG. It's the angle and I had to manoeuvre the branch and myself to get a decent picture
24 Apr, 2012
2 of mine is doing the same - wilting leaves and some blackening of parts of the branches. It certainly started on mine after the icy wind we had at the end of March/April. The soaking wet weather recently has not perked them up. Am hoping that they may re-leaf. Am pondering on picking the withering leaves off or not to promote regrowth??
24 Apr, 2012
Kildermore that's when I noticed the difference on this one. The one that usually suffers a bit from the wind and cold is so far looking great. Weird stuff!!
I thought about stripping the leaves but got a bit concerned when I saw the darker patches on the stems.
I've done as Bamboo suggest and if the want me to update you on progress I can do.
24 Apr, 2012
My acer has suffered to and is looking rather sorry for its self. Some leaves are fine others all limp and withered :(
24 Apr, 2012
In the case of the first picture, cut back to a healthy leaf beyond that visible area of damage to the bark on the branch.
Cut all the others back to where its healthy too - these plants are prone to dieback, and perhaps that's what's happened. Hopefully its not phytophthera of some description - if it is, it'll get worse, cutting back or no.
Also check the main stem/s for signs of scale infestation.
24 Apr, 2012