Verticillium Wilt in Japanese Maple
How to identify and treat verticillium wilt in Japanese Maple.
Japanese Maple care requirements
Symptoms to look for in Japanese Maple
Wilting and yellowing on one side of the tree or a single branch at a time, with brown or greenish streaking visible in the wood when a branch is cut.
Common causes in Japanese Maple
Caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium, which enters through root wounds and blocks the tree's water-conducting tissue, often persisting in soil for years and affecting one section of the canopy before the whole tree.
How to treat verticillium wilt in Japanese Maple
There is no cure once established — prune out severely affected branches to slow progression, keep the tree as healthy as possible with good watering and care, and avoid stressing it further.
Preventing verticillium wilt in Japanese Maple
Avoid wounding roots or trunk during garden work and mowing, and avoid planting where known-susceptible plants (like tomatoes or strawberries) have recently grown.