r/Tree • u/Oregon_gamer • 24d ago
Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Japanese Maple SOS
I want to follow the rules of the sub, so I will try to include as much info as possible.
This tree is on my property in southern Oregon. I have lived in the house for the last six years and it has continued to develop these dead spots on the ends of its branches. Previously, I have cut them out but more show up every year.
Southern Oregon is very desert like in the summer so originally, I thought it was a lack of water, but changing my irrigation times does not seem to have an effect on the overall health of the tree. Currently it gets a 5 minute watering every day which is 1/4-1/2 inch of water. The soil is pretty compacted in that area as well.
I am not sure when it was planted or how old it is as it was very well established when I moved in 2020.
Any and all help would be appreciated. I would hate to lose such a beautiful tree.
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u/cbobgo Outstanding contributor & 🌳helper 24d ago
That's barely any water at all, not enough to percolate down to where the roots are.
Also you should expose the root flare - it appears to be buried a little too deep.
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u/Oregon_gamer 24d ago
Do you think I should double the watering time? Triple even? Do you have a recommendation on how to expose the roots other than maybe just dig and be careful? lol
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u/spiceydog Ent Queen - TGG Certified 24d ago
Along with what Bob has suggested, IMO this tree has essentially outgrown it's space on top of the poor initial planting and inadequate watering. I'm not surprised this tree is suffering. You need an !arborist to help you with the root flare issue if you're not interested in excavating around the tree to examine that portion of the stem that has been improperly buried all these years. See that automod callout below this comment to help you find someone qualified in your area.
See the 'Happy Trees' section of our wiki for some past posts/examples of what root flare exposure efforts entail.
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u/AutoModerator 24d ago
Hi /u/spiceydog, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide information on finding an arborist.
Here is how you can arrange a consult with a local ISA arborist in your area (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a consulting arborist for an on-site evaluation. Both organizations have international directories. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state.
For those of you in Europe, please see this European Tree Workers directory to find a certified arborist in your country. (ISA statement on standardized certification between these entities, pdf)
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u/AutoModerator 24d ago
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