And if you plant coral barks (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'), make sure you are buying quality stock. This cultivar has a serious issue with blight and many times comes already infected from the grower.

Yes: if you make a major feature with this tree like lining a driveway with it you will be taking a gamble:

Most Japanese maple cultivars such as Sango Kaku and Oshi Beni are highly susceptible

https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-bacterial-leaf-spot-dieback

" Most Japanese maple cultivars".. well that sucks. With all the books and information I have searched about no one hasn't said anything about this. Please note the date on this article is 1988! I would think there's been some improvement by now in 2019. Does anyone have anything more current? I will be contacting a Maple Tree specialist about this. But thanks again.

It is not "most Japanese maple cultivars" at all!! While all do have the ability to contract bacterial blight (a hugely common disease for a lot of different plants), those JM cultivars with red, orange or golden yellow stems and branches seem to be overly prone. These would include the coral barks and their look-alikes (Beni Kawa, Fjellheim, Winter Flame, etc.), Corallinum, Japanese Sunrise, Bihou and similar cultivars. Although I have read nothing definitive on the topic, I believe it to be some sort of genetic weakness in these trees with vividly colored bark that increases their vulnerability. And because coral bark (Sango Kaku) is one of the most widely propagated, sold and planted cultivars of JM, it tends to be a serious problem for these trees unless provided by very reputable growers. And even that is not a guarantee! Weather can play a big role as well.

btw, that book that was referenced is reissued every year, as disease info and data and control methods do change frequently and are constantly being updated. The fact that no changes have been made to that particular article entry since 1988 means that no further information is available. That happens to be a major reference text for the extension service, nursery personnel, consultants and growers.

Yes, obviously the wording used should have indicated Japanese maples of that type were highly susceptible. But I figured it was sufficiently apparent what was meant. And - unlike with the typical wild Japanese maple species - blighting of Japanese maple cultivars in general is a recurring problem, whether the involved destructive agent be Pseudomonas or Verticillium in any particular instance.

Over-planted in Seattle

Acer palmatum ---Japanese Maple

Verticillium wilt is becoming too common. If it were not for this sad fact, I would likely rank this a five-star tree. It is unparalled in its diversity of form, color, leaf shape, and role in the landscape. Many dozens of different kinds are sold in nurseries. But I am tired of hearing from people whose prized specimens are on the decline. For whatever reason, this ugly disease has become more prevalent in the last decade.

http://www.arthurleej.com/a-overplanted.html

The notion of "overplanting" is just one, rather opinionated author's viewpoint! Yes, Japanese maples are very popular trees and you see them all over. But there are so many different cultivars available with varying forms, sizes and appearances that they do not look commonplace or boring to the average gardener or homeowner. In fact, many enthusiasts collect them in a range of varieties!!

I'd also question the notion that verticillium is that common a problem. In 25 years as a consulting horticulturist, I have certainly encountered it but not nearly as frequently as Jacobson would have you believe and it is by no means restricted to Japanese maples.....it affects - and can kill - hundreds of different plant species. Much of the issue with verticillium and JM's is with gardeners not knowing how to care for these trees properly to avoid the disease. Information - not scare tactics or dire predictions - is what is warranted!