Re: Japanese Red Maple tree - top half is dead!

Paymon,

Sounds like one of two things. It's possible that the new buds came out too early and were frozen before they had a chance to open. If that's the case the tree will make new buds, as long as the tissue on those upper stems is still good.

This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Just scratch the bark of your plants with your finger nail. If the tissue below the bark is green and firm your plants are fine. If the tissue is brown and mushy that part of the plant is dead.

If the tissue below the bark is not green then that part of the plant has died and is probably winter damage. You'll have to remove the dead branches and the tree will come back faster than you think.

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-Mike McGroarty
Zone 5, northern Ohio