Browning on arakawa maple

[jesse3489]

Hopefully this picture shows what I am asking about, I understand that on some maples the bark darkens before it matures, this on the other hand leads me to believe it is some sort of fungal infection. This part of the trunk is directly below an air layer, I would assume that if this is an infection that branches would start to show signs of weakening but there are juicy plump buds that exist in the middle of this browning on the bark. Most of this part is going to be chopped off but I am wondering if anyone else experiences this on their maples regularly as I do, and what they do to avoid it.

 

[leatherback]

sorry, but completely unclear what you mean.
Arakawa bark is gnarly and corky; I assume that is NOT what you are referring to.

 

[jesse3489]

sorry, but completely unclear what you mean.
Arakawa bark is gnarly and corky; I assume that is NOT what you are referring to.

I mean the places in between the gnarly bark. The bark is normally green but has turned brown over the past week or so. The air layer looks like it may not make it, but I have faith it will root. I figured it might be die back from where cut the cambium for the air layer.

 

[WavyGaby]

It looks like lichen, which is no problem. Is that light colored area in the bottom of the pic a damaged/missing portion of bark? If so, and you see it callousing, its a good sign of health.

 

[jesse3489]

I think these two pics display it best, I'm not super concerned about it as the rest of the tree is doing wonderful below the air layer. I love this tree I'm just trying to learn so I can mitigate any potential future damage to the branches that will be the future of this tree. Wonderful bark on mine.

 

[rockm]

Nope. Thats the way arakawa bark develops. Btw. Typically this cultivar can have difficulty backbudding on older wood. Cutting or pruning a branch to bare wood on a tree with mature bark can kill the remaining branch as the buds can’t break through the cork. It’s happened with my 30 year or mature arakawa in my backyard. The top was broken out by ice and the long remaining branch stub did back

 

[jesse3489]

Nope. Thats the way arakawa bark develops. Btw. Typically this cultivar can have difficulty backbudding on older wood. Cutting or pruning a branch to bare wood on a tree with mature bark can kill the remaining branch as the buds can’t break through the cork. It’s happened with my 30 year or mature arakawa in my backyard. The top was broken out by ice and the long remaining branch stub did back

So it's totally normal? I figured the tree seemed to be growing fine, nice to know my baby is doing alright.

 

[rockm]

This is my landscape arakawa (ignore the black snake) several years ago. Note the bark.

 

[WavyGaby]

This is my landscape arakawa (ignore the black snake) several years ago. Note the bark. View attachment 605773

Nice bark for a snake to exfoliate themselves. If this is common, maybe I shouldn't grow rough bark varieties anymore, lol!

 

[jesse3489]

The tree killed it this year! Very happy with the vigorous growth this year. Can't wait to really get some work done on it. Thinking of putting it back in an anderson flat to help heal wounds. This pot was more of a holding cell.

 

[leatherback]

Thinking of putting it back in an anderson flat to help heal wounds. This pot was more of a holding cell.

keep in mind that arakawa tends to get really coarse growth if allowed to shoot. So if you put it in a big container, ensure you prune frequently, or decide that you can live with removing all coarse segments.
I find this variety to close wounds well even when kept in small containers.

 

[jesse3489]

keep in mind that arakawa tends to get really coarse growth if allowed to shoot. So if you put it in a big container, ensure you prune frequently, or decide that you can live with removing all coarse segments.
I find this variety to close wounds well even when kept in small containers.

Hey, just the man I wanted to talk to. I appreciate the insight! I'll give you a little bit of this trees short history. I bought it from one of my best friends in the hobby about 3 or so years ago. The first year I had the tree, it wasn't showing signs of almost any vigor at all. This had worried me so I ended up taking a look in the pot, and noticed that the tree hadn't been repotted in quite sometime. Poor drainage, roots were staying too wet and rotting. The end of that growing season (fall) I decided to do a very light repotting just to exchange some of the sloppy soil in the pot into some well drained mix. Following that I finished repot in the latter spring. Last year it had some growth but nothing to write home about, I figured it probably needed a rest after the last ditch effort to keep this tree from rotting away. This year made last year worth it! I had been working ALOT and didnt have much time to look after the tree and the next time I looked at it I was cutting 18" off of the initial growth of the tree. To say I was shocked and excited was an understatement. Finally this tree is no longer on my ICU bench and is now flourishing. I plan on spending the next growing season staying on top of this tree more in order to get nice branching where I want it. This tree really has a long way to go, but you are right, they will make some gigantic internodes almost like a red maple. So I think you are right about keeping it in the pot. I should favor usable growth over the AMOUNT of growth.

 

[leatherback]

I should favor usable growth over the AMOUNT of growth.

both are an option, as long as you are aware?

 

[jesse3489]

both are an option, as long as you are aware?

Absolutely, I am still learning the Japanese maples. I dont own very many of them but im determined to get them under control. This tree has a nice trunk and it deserves some nice branches too. I think I just need to stay more engaged the next growing season.