Phyton 27, sorry no one ever replyed this maple form sucks.

deshima,

It can be difficult to wrap one's mind around a brief written description, then come up with a mental picture of the problem.

So, people don't reply for various reasons, among them these (but not necessarily related to uctmd77's question):
1. inadequate info, including location (city and state)
2. no history (care and handling; age of plant; name of plant; what's been done to date; and the list goes on)
3.persons who read the question lack knowledge of the problem.
4. description of the pest/problem that lacks sufficient detail.a

Beyond that, whenever possible, posting one or more CLEAR photos can help those of us who are would like to reply.

And finally, sometimes the problem can only be solved by someone local who can visit the site, see the surroundings, and then figure out what went wrong.

Okay, here's my guess. If this tree is growing in southern CA or another arid portion of the state, it's stressed. If so, die back is to be expected.

Well OK thanks for the thrashing I needed a good old kick in the ass today. So why didn't anyone bother to say we need a picture, this is a common request but no, not here, the practice here is to just make no response because the post came from an idiot. A foliar spraying with a good fungicide is normal under these conditions and as general preventive measure. I have suggested at times that someone local should be consulted but I have decided that this approach could insult someone, with a simple pass the buck attitude and question.It like telling a Christian I lost my job because I fell and broke my leg and the Christian says, oh my thats terrible I will put you on the prayer list as soon as I can get to a phone. That's it no macaroni no offers to cut the grass. Now if this is not enough description of a fungal attack I don't know what is (browning of the major limbs, peeling of the bark with clumps of yellow powdery material on the limbs) now I hope you are happy that you have passed the buck again, who is it that your are really mad at. I will continue to respond to questions and you guys can continue to shot me down but I will not leave people hanging like you guys do, as a matter of course.Then soon you will be in the minority and we will have a kinder gentler Acer Forum, yes I a new Japanese Maple Forum, because no one know anything about the common maples or they don't want to post a reply, maybe it is because it is too common.