Maple Forest

[cozmicat]

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all finding some enjoyment in the quarantine world Thank god for bonsai.

So some quick info, I like in the PNW (Seattle 8b). I created a maple forest about on March 14. The forest had been doing great! Until I noticed that one tree has wilted foliage.(see images) my question is, do you know why this is happening? There are 9 trees in the pot, only the tree mentioned and another are showing the same symptoms. When I initially planted the forest I cut some foliage off, maybe 10% on the entire forest, as was recommended by the local bonsai nursery, because I was repotting after the window for repotting.

I have been watering once weekly as spring is here. It is facing East. With a good amount of shade, due to other maples.

Question: what is causing this issue? Could it be lack of sun or over watering?
Thank you in advance for the replies, and apologies if I could have posted this into another thread.

 

[Shibui]

Check all down the trunk, especially right at the base near the roots for signs of black bark. Fungal infection is relatively common in JM and even more so after root pruning. Generally too wet encourages it but once a week watering sounds fine.
If there's no sign of black I don't know.

 

[cozmicat]

Check all down the trunk, especially right at the base near the roots for signs of black bark. Fungal infection is relatively common in JM and even more so after root pruning. Generally too wet encourages it but once a week watering sounds fine.
If there's no sign of black I don't know.

Thanks for the reply, took a photo of the stem. You are right. I see the black stem. Any way to remedy that and quickly? Seems overly moist. I also just put moss on the design, so I’ll definitely pull that off now.

 

[namnhi]

Thanks for the reply, took a photo of the stem. You are right. I see the black stem. Any way to remedy that and quickly? Seems overly moist. I also just put moss on the design, so I’ll definitely pull that off now.

No that one is dead

 

[MrWunderful]

Once you see black it generally means the cambium is dead.

 

[cozmicat]

FAK!!!! should I cut the tree back to stop the spread to the other trees?

 

[cozmicat]

Also thanks for the replies. I apprehended guidance. I’m sure it won’t be the last time I take out a tree. Lol

 

[cozmicat]

Appreciate* autocorrect.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

The main culprits in Seattle are verticillium and anthracnose, they can spread so pull that tree out and toss it. It's a goner since the rot is so low on the trunk.

 

[cozmicat]

Thanks Erich,

Good to know, the issue with that is the trees were grown in the same pot for years, so the roots are intertwined, pretty good. I will have to pull up the entire group and remove the tree, hoping not to damage the other roots. Since I just re-potted in march, any recommendations for keeping the rest of it alive once I pull the bad tree? I feel uprooting it will stress the tree out. Obviously i am a novice and you all know more than me, Just simply worried.

 

[cozmicat]

also, i have this around large maple bonsai, should I quarantine this? idk if its airborne like COVID. lol.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

This problem seems to happen more with young maples in the Pacific Northwest, I used to live in Seattle and it occasionally killed trees (I also worked as a landscaper/landscape designer so had customers with the problem too), those diseases occur here in Portland too though. I just pull the affected tree out and the rest are fine 90% of the time. Sometimes you can be minimally invasive and avoid disturbing roots, just try to do that as much as possible.

Both diseases seem to be more contact based, so just be careful to make sure any old leaves are disposed of. Sterilize your tools too. You can spray with a copper based fungicide/bactericide in the winter to make sure it doesn't return.

 

[Shibui]

A fungicide may or may not help but it certainly won't hurt the remaining trees.
I have occasionally had a tree recover after letting the soil dry out more but that's only when the black first starts. When it is right round the trunk the tree is well dead.
For now only water when the soil is getting dry. Keep the pot up on an airy bench with plenty of fresh air movement. Fungicide if it is available. Maybe also cross your fingers or say prayer depending what you believe.

 

[cozmicat]

You all are awesome! I have the rosery beads out and saying daily prayers.