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JM maple is it dying?

18 years ago

My JM is filling out on the bottom of the tree but the top has no growth on the branches and the branches I belive are dead. I used my fingernail to scratch the wood and it is brown not like the bottom which is green and healthy. Should I cut off the dead branches and if so how close to the trunk should I make the cuts?

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Comment (1)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
18 years ago
Sounds like the graft has failed and the top growth (the grafted portion) has died off. Unfortunately, the rootstock is unlikely to grow into a real 'tree' and will develop into a more shrubby looking plant. You might be best served by digging out the entire plant and replacing with a new J maple.
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