Bonfire Japanese Maple Sudden Branch Death: Drought or Decay?

Case

Seattle: 3-yr-old Bonfire Japanese maple. Sudden whole-branch death. Dry summer (no rain). Owner waters? Unclear. Whitish bark on dead parts; dead parts black.

Expert Analysis (Steve)

• Drought stress = gradual (wilt → yellow → drop). "Sudden" ≠ drought.
• Trunk/root damage: Check for mechanical injury, girdling roots.
• Chemical exposure: Herbicide, fertilizer spill?
• Whitish bark: Fuzzy? Near soil? = possible fungal fruiting.
• Black dead wood: Result of decay, not cause.

Follow-Up: Dead Parts Black, Not Fuzzy

Black color = decay byproduct. Internal decay in branch = surgical removal possible. In main stem = terminal (slow, progressive). Most decay enters via wounds (mower/trimmer).

Recommendation

• Prune dead portions if structurally safe.
• If main stem decayed → plan replacement.
• Seattle summer drought unusual — but "sudden" points elsewhere.