It would help to know what part of the country ( state) you live in and zone...David

David, thanks for the reply.

I'm in the San Francisco Bay area, zone 9. Things have just started to warm up and dry out here after an abnormally wet spring. My maple has been in leaf now about 5-6 weeks. The tree is on the east side of the house so gets full sun from sunrise to a bit past noon.

Best,

Scott

Looks like a dog came along and pissed on your tree. Or some body did. Dam if I would put a tree like that in my front yard. I am no expert as you can tell by my language but if that stick is dead cut it out and burn it. I have a friend in Sacramento that has some kittens part bobcat/domestic cat get one and turn it lose on those dam dogs.

Oh yea video tape it,

Thanks for your help, that was really constructive.

Ohhhh...sometimes Japanese Maples get a little upset after transplanting, and some branches do die back. I had that happen with one of mine. I merely cut back the dead branches and let it re-sprout. I live in an area where frost can clobber the Maples at any time of the year, so sometimes the poor things have to completely re-grow their leaves. Happily, they do.

Generally speaking, I prefer to buy my Japanese Maples as "babies" and nurse them along to mature size (what I call "giant Bonsai"--in those big square cedar planters), moving them up into larger planters as they grow.

I think that's as likely a scenario as dogs peeing--just the usual fussiness prior to turning into a first-rate gorgeous tree.

Lisa

So you'd recommend cutting off all the dead branches? I'm concerned the shape of the tree is going to be severely altered and not in a good way. Guess if those branches are really dead I don't have much choice. When is the best time to prune?

In your area if it hasn't leafed yet I doubt it ever will you can wait a bit if you like but I agree trim the dead stuff It ain't gonna get any less dead...and I'd bet by next year it will be boffo ...you might NOT want to trim the growing or living part to later this summer or fall though.I also agree the pee story is a bit thin...unless a dog walker with a dozen dogs used it as a pit stop for weeks ;>) David

Exreme, the dead part won't come back to life. I had one of my dissectums boot-pruned by the tree guys trimming our elms a couple years ago. I was heart-broken, but now the tree looks as good as ever.

That reminds me--I need to go nip off the dead 6" at the top of my A. shirawasanum 'Aureum' and my A. circinatum...

Lisa