skip to main content

Japanese Maple with bumpy branches

20 years ago

I have a beautiful dwarf Japanese maple--I believe it's a 'Crimson Queen.' Now that the leaves have fallen, I noticed that a number of the branches have brown bumps; when I pressed on a bump to investigate, it was very brittle and released a powdery white substance. Can anyone tell me whether this is a disease or an insect issue? Also, if you have any idea how it can be treated, I would be most grateful. Thanks for your help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
20 years ago
It's a bit of a guess without seeing - could be several things. Any chance you could post a photo?
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
20 years ago
My first guess would be an infestation of one of the armored (hard) scales, but as Pam suggests, a picture would be very helpful.

If it is scale (or other insect, for that matter), accurate ID is important. All scales are not created equal and treatment varies. Look carefully at the cultural conditions under which the tree is growing to see if anything can be improved. Usually, trees that are stressed or in decline are favored by insects. Don't look immediately to fertilizer as the answer. Too much N can produce weak and highly succulent growth, making the tree even more attractive to insects.

Al
Related Professionals
Madison Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Toms River Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · South Sioux City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Diego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Augusta Landscape Contractors · Oshkosh Landscape Contractors · Sierra Vista Landscape Contractors · Twin Falls Landscape Contractors · Salina Architects & Building Designers · Covington Architects & Building Designers · Rockford Architects & Building Designers · Saginaw Architects & Building Designers · Allentown Architects & Building Designers · Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers · Medford Architects & Building Designers

Related Stories

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Great Design Tree: Japanese Maple

By Annie Thornton

Lacy form and fiery fall color make Japanese maple a welcome tree for garden or patio

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Japanese Maples for Shade

A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden

LIGHTING Stick to Branches for Naturally Beautiful Lighting

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

When you combine trees and technology, your lighting is as organic as it is versatile

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Amazing Small Maple Trees

There's more to maples than syrup. Expand your maple milieu with any of these 5 small and unusual trees

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Vine Maple

Exciting year-round color and adaptability make this highly ornamental native small tree a top choice for home gardens

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Kousa Dogwood

By Becky Harris

This four-season landscape star offers lovely pink bracts, bumpy summer berries and more

WINTER GARDENING 8 Gorgeous Trees for Winter Interest in the Garden

By Matt Kilburn

Intriguing forms and beautiful branches take center stage when color heads back into the wings of the winter landscape

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting