Need a Doc?

[j evans]

I have this little what I assume is a maple that I grew from seed. Last year after years of growing I air layered off the top. The top is going great but the bottom has looked like this since spring. It is planted in potting soil & lava. Has done great until now. Acts like it doesn't have any energy. Any ideas?

 

[19Mateo83]

The black bark on the side of the top looks suspicious. Maybe someone else will chime in.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/verticillium-wilt-japanese-maples-68040.html

 

[Potawatomi13]

Any chance substrate too wet?

 

[Shibui]

I agree that the black bark is not good. I usually see this right down at soil level and by the time I can see black bark it's usually too late to save the tree. Usually occurs here just at spring bud burst. I think I've narrowed down the cause to roots being too wet in cooler weather. Any chance this pot is sitting on the ground? Occasionally I have had them recover by getting the pots up on a bench with good air movement and reducing water so the soil is slightly dry.
You could try the same thing but the foliage looks pretty far gone. I doubt any of the crispy leaf shoots are any good so you could trim all dead looking ones back to allow better air movement too.

 

[j evans]

I'll try, maybe pull out of pot for couple of hours. Not real wet when I poke my finger into the soil but damp. Thanks for the help.