Question
QUESTION: I have  Bonfire Japanese Maple that is about 3 years old.  Suddenly entire branches are dead or dying.  Is there a way to rescue this tree or is it hopeless.  I live in Seattle where we have had no rain this summer and I don't know if the lack of water is part of the problem.  HELP>

ANSWER: Kerry:
Symptoms of drought stress are usually not "sudden", usually a gradual process- beginning with wilt, leaf death, leaf drop. Take a look at the trunk and roots for any apparent damage/injury. Review any chemical applications that may heve been made to the plant or soil beneath also.  

Steve

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QUESTION: There seems to be a whitish look to the bark, is that normal?

ANSWER: Kerry:
Is this whitish stuff appear as a "fuzzy" covering? and is it near the soil line?  If possible you are welcome to send along a digital image and I will take a look.  Review photo on your computer to be sure it is in focus before you attach it to your inquiry.

Steve

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QUESTION: The whitish coloring is not fuzzy but the parts of the tree that are dead have turned black.  could this be a type of fungus that is systemic and if so are there any treatments that will possibly help?

Answer
Kerry:
The black color may be the result rather than the cause created by the apparant decay process.  If feasible/practical, it is best to try to prune out the dead potions- assuming it does not compromise the overall strength/well being of the tree. If there is internal decay in a branch- it can often be "surgically" removed, but when in the main stem or leader, it may be a terminal situation- usually slow, but progressive.  There are a bunch of fungal and bacterial microorganism that can cause decay- most of them enter the tree through a wound- like a stringtrimmer/lawnmower etc.  If this senario is pretty descriptive of your situation, you may consider replacement.

Regards
Steve