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Black branch tips on Sango Kaku Acer

Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 111
in Problem solving
Hi everyone,

Our Sango Kaku is looking healthy with lots of new growth and leaves. On closer inspection this afternoon I noticed a few branches with black tips, which worried me slightly. I did prune it a few months back as there was some crazy growth last year. 

What has happened and what should I do about it?

Any ideas?

Ed
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Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,167
    As long as it's not on all of them I wouldn't worry too much. Let the leaves develop a bit more keep it moist but not too wet. Then you can take the dieback off. Acers naturally "shed" little branches sometimes quire a few in some seasons, it's almost as though the plant decides it doesn't need those bits and shuts off the sap to them. 
    AB Still learning

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,706
    Hopefully just normal die back you can get with Acers, but maybe a sign of verticillium wilt, which is more serious.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    With a bit of luck it's just wind damage from the chilly Easterlies we had recently.
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 111
    Should I just leave it and do nothing? How will I know if it’s something more serious?

    thanks,

    Ed
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,085
    You'll just need to keep an eye on it. As said - it may be a sign of wilt, but it could easily just be the usual branch die off that they can get. Keep checking the whole plant to see that there aren't any more pieces turning like that.
    You can take off the dead bits as long as you don't go back into the live part. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 111
    There are some other branches like that. I will have a good look when I get back today and take some photos. 
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 111
    There are only a few areas with blackening. I’ve posted some photographs below. When you say take off the dead bits but don’t go back into the live plant, what do you mean? 

    Many thanks

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,085
    Where the stem becomes red again - that's the viable growth. Don't cut back into that  :)
    To be honest - that just looks like winter damage and nothing to really worry about.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,706
    I think that is ok.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,278
    Just trim the black stems back to leave a stump of dead branch about 1" long. You don't want to cut into the live bit as it will bleed sap. But it is a thin branch, so no need to be over cautious.

    I have an acer with Verticillium Wilt.
    Initially you will see black marks on branches that look like black bruises, but the growth toward the end of the branch may still be alive. Then the alive bit will die back leaving shrivelled leaves.
    To confirm VW, the cut end of a branch will have black rings inside that are visible on the cut end. The branches on your tree are probably too thin to notice that though.

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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