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Yellow Fungus on Japanese Maple Branches: Likely Wood Rot, Not Surface Fungus

Internal Decay

Yellow growth on branches of a 12-year-old Japanese maple is likely the fruiting bodies of an internal wood rot fungus. Fungicides can't reach it.

Next Step

Hire a certified arborist to inspect. They'll assess structural integrity and recommend treatment (possible trunk injection) or removal if hazard risk is high.

Shrubs: Japanese Maple Honeydew and Sooty Mold: Aphid or Scale Infestation; Orange Fungus at Base of Japanese Maple: Mulch Decay, Not Tree Disease; Japanese Maple Sunscald: Identification, Prevention, and Borer Risk; Japanese Maple Early Color Change: Drought Stress or Root Suffocation?; Japanese Maple Lost All Leaves After Planting: Shock or Deer?; 'Inaba Shidare' Japanese Maple: Identification and Container Growing Guide; Bees Swarming Japanese Maple: They’re After Aphid Honeydew; Japanese Maple Freeze Damage: Spring and Fall Fertilizing; Japanese Maple Tree Diseases: Identification and Treatment; Selling or Transplanting a Large Japanese Maple: What's It Worth?

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