It makes me look forward to viewing my tree every year. Learn more. Verticillium Wilt of Shade Trees . In the autumn I did cut most of its growth off leaving only one low branch but there was black half of a ring visible in the trunk. Dark streaks appear in the wood when cut into. Japanese maples can be very prone to leaf scorch in windy or excessively sunny positions, particularly those with fine-cut leaves. The discoloration is green to black in maples, brown in elms, and brown to black in black locust and other trees. This article Verticillium Wilt of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs gives you good information on this disease and a picture of the dark ring. It looks like your tree has a problem getting these nutrients back up into the branches. In addition, Verticillium wilt attacks more than 80 other different tree species and many other plants, such as potato, tomato, Last year, the tree seemed to be a little slower sprouting leaves in some areas but this year the buds in these areas don't appear to be progressing at all. About 1/3 of the tree has died back. Here's advice from Oregon State University's Extension Service master gardeners. Japanese maples are challenging to grow in our area. I'd rather take it out. AND SHRUBS . And if you think about it, it makes sense - rapid foliar growth can only additionally stress a tree that has a compromised vascular system. It could be published in a featured ideabook, Sewing rooms have become popular again as people of all ages embrace simple crafts they can do at home, Couple draws dream home inspiration from 'A Pattern Language' in thoughtfully placing windows, nooks and heirlooms, Pretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots. It's a beautiful metal, and very clean because of its anti-biotic properties. Plants Resistant to Verticillium Wilt Botanical Name Arctostaphylos species Betula species Buxus species Carpinus species Ceanothus species Cercidiphyllum j. Cistus corbariensis Cistus salvifolius Cistus tauricus Citrus species Cornus species Crataegus species Eucalyptus species Fagus species Ficus carica Gleditsia species Gleditsia triacan thos Hebe anonda Hebe x franciscana Hebe x … When the slugs are chomping the hostas or the weeds have taken over the garden, get the answers you need with Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University's Extension Service. What is Verticillium Wilt? Another species, Verticillium albo-atrum, is less common. Verticillium wilt is caused by a soil fungus called Verticillium dahliae. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). You may first notice these symptoms in spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Many chrome faucets, etc., at least used to be chrome plated brass. Growing Wisdom garden videos will help you with all your gardening needs. What do people think? Maples are also hardy trees, capable of handling a wide variety of conditions and growing in many types of soil and various lighting conditions. Stems and branche… Verticillium wilt symptoms mimic those of other plant diseases and environmental problems, and this makes it hard to diagnose. The list of plants affected by verticillium wilt is extensive and includes trees, shrubs, and garden annuals and perennials. On the other hand, the famous sugar maple can grow to 75 feet high and 45 feet wide, an impressive size for any property. Tomorrow is demolition day! Verticillium wilt. Another indication is new growth emerging in spring, aborting, and dying. While some plants and trees can fight off an infection for years by putting on new wood over the infected wood, when trees are put under stress is often when symptoms begin to show. Evaluation of Phyton-27 for control of Verticillium wilt on Japanese Maple, 2006-2008. I'm putting my seatbelt on! But eventually, verticillium wilt IS fatal to Japanese maples, typically sooner rather than later :-( Should you elect to live with it for whatever time it has left, prune out and destroy the affected branches, making sure you disinfect your pruners with every cut. Pruning group 1. Leaves that curl, wilt, discolor and die may mean that a plant is suffering from verticillium wilt. Bacteria and viruses die on natural, unfinished brass. Subscribe to OregonLive. II if. Verticillium wilt is a name associated with death of mature trees, shrubs, perennials, and vegetables alike. Frequently, the foliage on only one side of a tree wilts. Typically, maple trees can live healthy lives for up to 300 years, but sometimes they fall prey to illness. Or should I call it quits now and replace it with something resistant? Plants in pots will have to do for time being on new back patio. Strangely, strawberries are also affected. Perennials, trees, and shrubs may be kept alive with proper care, but you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. The best course of action is to remove affected plants to prevent the spread of the disease. 4 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed) Hosts. We also suggested they run a pipe under the new patio as a holding space out toward the ivy slope in case they eventually want to have a gas BBQ or fireplace out there. KatherineD - I've always torn out the blue violets that have sprouted in my yard...just seemed they had the potential to be such a nuisance. Here's how to get a boost — with or without a million-dollar view, Don’t put down that spade! I just saw this post but wanted to add to it. A diagnostic clue for detecting Verticillium wilt is the presence of vascular streaking or vascular discoloration. Research shows that just looking at nature has powerful mental benefits. There are lots of other similar maples in the neighborhood that have all been fully leaved for three to four weeks. Any hints on constructing French drains? The new patio will be a cement product...perhaps just laid in a large squares pattern. Its original location I dig most soil to trash and then treated hole with a lot of lime which I also remember reading killing verticillium in ground. Maple Wilt. Symptoms canoccur at any time of the year but often show up when hot, dry weatherbegins.Sometimes a single branch or the foliage on one side of a tree will die. –maple). I remember reading long time ago that nitrogen is used to heal verticillium affected plants but did not found same article two years ago but tried it anyway. Verticillium wilt is fungal disease affecting over 350 host plants found throughout the world. The wood under the bark of wilting branches is discolored in streaks. There are other pathogens (pseudomonas, phytophthora, etc.) Verticillium Wilt is a disease that can attack Japanese maples. I'm stuck! Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden! This wilt is caused by a fungus in the soil. 4 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed) Hosts. OSU Extension faculty and Master Gardeners reply to queries within two business days, usually less. Once VW is evident in a palmatum Phyton does nothing to stop the spread. (I think because, now they are not brass, but plastic). Once a plant has a disease, there is no fungicide, that’s why preventative measures are so important. Other fungi are less insidious. Need help coordinating maple cabinets, countertop, backsplash & floor. On that host, the stain is dark green to brown and usually found in a circular pattern when the stem is viewed in cross-section, as seen in the left image. The treatment is expensive and we don't think it is worth using. Maple wilt is also known as Verticillium wilt, because it is caused by fungi from the Verticillium genus, including Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillium dahliae. Plant susceptibility or resistance may vary from one region to another since the virulence found in the different strains of Verticillium sp. Early indications that a tree has Verticillium wilt include heavy seed production, leaves that are smaller than normal, and the browning of the margins of leaves. Microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae form … I tried using systemic fungicide's even though I really don't like chemicals. It invades susceptible plants through their roots and spreads through the plant’s vascular system. When we rent the trencher for the sprinkler system, we'll be laying in a French drain at the base of the ivy slope in back to help divert water from the house to the sides of the property. I had a Japanese Maple with all the symptoms of Verticillium. Verticillium wilt has also caused a shift in peppermint cultivation from the Midwest in the mid- to late-1800s to western states such as Oregon, Washington and Idaho, to new, non-infested areas within these states now. Verticillium Wilt, Verticilliosis.—The leaves of plants infected with this disease fade and wither, beginning with the lower ones on the main stalk, and finally the whole stem dies. After the cement blocks to the side of the driveway and lava rock (ick!) (See, for example, Barbara, D.J. Verticillium wilt is a widespread and serious disease that affects the vascular system of trees. Each of these conditions could result in these symptoms. I’ve read all kinds of explanations of what exactly is going on in the soil to cause this, but quite honestly, in all four cases my soil conditions were different, never soggy, just different soils. In many cases the branch dies completely and should be completely removed from the tree at first sign of the disease. I killed three Japanese maples in the same spot before I realized it was wilt and not me. It is now about 15 ft. tall and showing no signs of Verticillium.I have no explanation other than maybe it didn't have Verticillium. It is by Tom Creswell at Purdue University. A: During the summer, trees move the nutrients made by the leaves down into the roots, where they are stored. (See following list for a more complete list of susceptible plants.) About a third of the tree was dead. I have not always seen the signs of a "green/brown ring" inside the stem but I typically remove them if I start seeing the typical wilt of one branch at a time. Sign up to receive a free weekly Homes & Gardens of the Northwest newsletter and join the conversation at the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest on Facebook. And since Japanese maples prefer acidic soil conditions, adding lime to the soil would seem counterproductive, as well as having no significant impact on destroying or halting the pathogen. Wanderbug - Yes, surprisingly little blackberry in general. To determine the cause of the problem, first look at the roots. No growing conditions had changed and it … CAUSES. Get breaking news coverage as events unfold. I've noticed that the best way to prevent disease is to give extremely well drained (almost dry) soil. I think the thing you have to ask yourself is: "Do I want an attractive tree or just a live one?" One of these fungal diseases, Verticillium wilt, is prevalent among Japanese maples. Here are some questions asked by other gardeners. & Clewes, E. (2003). When it started to leaf out I gave daily watering with diluted urea (which is a form of 50% nitrogen, heaping table spoon to a gallon). Would you like to email it to me privately? This often happens in late summer or early fall. Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that affects over 300 species of plants, including many common trees and shrubs. The brown, dead foliage you observe may be because of infection by the Verticillium dahliae fungus. They were able to include a new patio in their financing since the existing patio, after 50 years, was slightly sinking toward the house. The house is located right between a "moderate" to "low" earthquake hazard area so that's hopeful. You can’t treat verticillium wilt. Berlanger, I. and M.L. That way we can enjoy them every evening and they are very uplifting. It seemed to slow the spread but eventually the entire tree succumbed. 3, 27 Nine other species of Verticillium are also recognized that cause wilt in certain hosts, but none have as wide of a host range as V. dahliae. The main sign of infection is leaves turning brown, especially near the base. Variation in response of Norway maple cultivars to Verticillium dahliae. To confirm, you can have a certified arborist look at the tree. Suspect they will first be concentrating on creating a "lounging" space in the back and just try to get planting areas in front figured out for now. Maple Wilt. These can include diseases, such as tar spot, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and lichen, to name a few. Many different ornamental and shade trees and shrubs can get verticillium wilt, including maple, redbud, and magnolia. It sprouted from the stump. Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that lives in the soil. This often happens in late summer or early fall. But eventually, verticillium wilt IS fatal to Japanese maples, typically sooner rather than later :-( Should you elect to live with it for whatever time it has left, prune out and destroy the affected branches, making sure you disinfect your pruners with every cut. DO NOT use mulches that may have been produced from trees (e.g., maple and ash trees) that are susceptible to Verticillium wilt, and immediately collect and discard leaves that have fallen from symptomatic trees. Virtually any resource you find on verticillium wilt on Japanese maples cautions against the use of a high nitrogen fertilizer like urea. So, I don't forget, I will set an alarm as I will in the midst of madness. Verticillium Wilt is a disease that can attack Japanese maples. Has anyone been sucessful in saving an infected tree? Symptoms of verticillium wilt can be confusing because they are sovariable. But, except in tight-squeeze suburbia where all trees have been removed to provide a blank slate, it's hard to get away from their effect here in NW, as you know. Some limp along for years, dying a little at a time. Have a Merry Christmas season everyone! Come back every week for our latest tips on what to do in your yard. Verticillium dahliae has a widespread distribution in temperate climates and a broad host range that includes hundreds of dicotyledonous hosts in at least fourteen plant families. I have tried 3 different Japanese maples in a specific location (inside a circular raised bed in my herb garden) and all have done OK initially then just up and died. I have had mixed results with Phyton-27. This doesn't look like Verticillium wilt, and Verticillium wilt isn't a disease that would move from tree to tree. Plant susceptibility or resistance may vary from one region to another since the virulence found in the different strains of Verticillium sp. There has been plenty of rain this year so I wasn't attributing the issue to that, but is it possible that the previous summer's low rainfall and high temperatures damaged the tree? Strangely, strawberries are also affected. The fungi that cause verticillium wilt affect the tree's vascular system and causes symptoms of wilting and yellowing leaves that are concentrated in one particular area. Here's how to get started, Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story, New things have their place, but old things have a history and beauty all their own, Post your best photo of your cat at home, in the garden or with you in your studio. I tried to get unfinished brass products for our new home, but could not. I always treat newly planted Palmatums with Phyton and they appear to remain clean. Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that affects over 300 species of plants, including many common trees and shrubs. Verticillium does not affect yews and conifers. The grass from front walk to junipers (love the VW comment!) VERTICILLIUM WILT: !!! Obvious Verticillium Wilt on Crimson Queen Japanese maple. Has this ever happened to you? VERTICILLIUM WILT IDENTIFICATION Verticillium Wilt affects lots of plants, shrubs and trees. Have you had any experience with it to extend the life of the JM? Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease of over 300 host plants, including a wide range of garden and greenhouse crops in addition to woody ornamentals, most noticeably elms, magnolias, maples, redbud, and viburnums. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Once the causal fungus enters the vascular tissues of the host plant, it is likely to spread quickly, block the water-conducting vessels, and cause plant death. A subtle, no-maintenance beauty. Tap to view larger image. But it keeps the rhoddies, azaleas, etc. This fungus enters the cambium layer of the plant through the roots or injured areas on the trunk and blocks the flow of nutrients within the tissues. Propagation methods. But JM's are inordinately susceptible to this problem, perhaps due to their rather delicate, easily damaged root system compared with most other species of maples, and IME, they seldom survive. It takes on a vase-shaped appearance, with multiple trunks. Premature foliar chlorosis and necrosis and vascular discoloration in stems and roots –potato), perennials (ex. Indication: Blackening of new buds in late winter/early spring working its way down the branch. It really just depends on what you can live with, to me. Verticillium Wilt of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, free weekly Homes & Gardens of the Northwest newsletter, Homes & Gardens of the Northwest on Facebook. They should be whitish, plump and look healthy -- not soft, black and friable. I have had many palmatums that have shown signs of VW and I have ultimately removed them. Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images. General care Pruning. My Houzz: A Hilltop Family Home in Santa Cruz. 1990. I add large amounts of sand and mound when planting. In some cases the leaves on a single branch will discolor and die, but do not fall from the tree. Rather than digging it out I sawed it off at just above ground level with the idea I would dig it up later. at the bottom of the juniper bed get power-washed, I hope the creeping phlox (blue-ish lavender color) cascading over them will look good. But now one has entered my yard that has a larger bloom and is more of a pink blossom...it looks like an actual plant rather than a weed with a tiny blossom. Social media. Verticillium wilt of maple. The left half of this Japanese Maple has been decimated by Verticillium wilt. Also thought some wooly thyme mixed in will add color at another time of the year. Verticillium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus, Verticillium dahliae. In some cases the leaves on a single branch will discolor and die, but do not fall from the tree. Verticillium wilt is especially serious; it can kill your tree. PNW Plant Disease Management . The species I most often see affected are Japanese Maples, although it infects a very wide range of woody species . Anyone know of a grass that does better in shade? I selected one sprout and let it grow. Powelson. PSEUDOMONAS: ! These can include diseases, such as tar spot, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and lichen, to name a few. There is no chemical control for the disease. It is caused by a soil-inhabiting fungus called Verticillium.The disease fungus can be spread by many methods including from plant-to-plant, through the soil, groundwater and often by infected pruning equipment that has not been properly sanitized. Photos. Carolyn, I will need your number, please. 3 (1 = rare 5 = annual) Severity. Maples and many other plants are very susceptible to Verticillium wilt. Don't know they've given much thought to WHAT to do in design of it. The … I have been growing acer palmatums for years and have about 25 of them. Consider growing Acer palmatum Asahi Zuru. Plain brushed cement or aggregate? More than likely it’s Verticillium Wilt. I have an Everred that I cut off the top 2/3 of and now it weeps instead of being upright, but it still looks good. It was verticillium wilt even though it did not have the brown streaks in the cambian layer that is often a symptom. The main sign of infection is leaves turning brown, especially near the base. Maple Wilt. Oval to irregularly shaped, shiny, black spots up to ½ inch in diameter form on the leaves of silver or red maples. Prune in late autumn to midwinter. All rights reserved (About Us). Symptoms are pretty obvious. Japanese maples are susceptible to many things such as bacterial blight, Verticillum wilt and winter injury. The Douglas Firs begin immediately at the property line and fill the neighbors property of about 1/2 acre so the needles are definitely acidifying the soil. I’ve had this happen to at least four Lace leaf weeping Japanese maples in my landscape and it’s happened over a period of time. The disease can affect more than 350 plant species, including deciduous trees, vegetables, berries, and flowers. Next spring I washed all the soil off and did major root pruning similar as for Bonsai and planted it to mostly sand with mulch on top. Burn (where allowed by local ordinance) or landfill infected plants and infested plant debris. My son recently informed me it is likely that the soil is infected with verticillium wilt. It is very important to pay attention to sanitation so you don't spread it to other plants. Verticillium Wilt, often called Maple wilt, is a very common disease that attacks a large number of trees. I know lawns are going out of style but for now and in the homeowners' stage of life, I think both expansive lawn areas are here to stay for a while. I had grown it from a seedling and was quite upset to lose it. One way to see if Verticillium is the problem is to prune out a branch from the leafless section. With more realistic-looking options than ever, synthetic turf can be a boon. But maples and many other plants are very susceptible to Verticillium wilt. The wood under the bark of wilting branches is discolored with green to black streaks. I never did. So once those get repaired and some additional drainage put in, I think the water won't be such an issue. If you have had a Maple succumb to Verticillium, it is not advisable to replant another Maple in the same place unless the soil is replaced since the fungal propagules can survive up to 13 years in the soil. It is a soil dwelling fungus with symptoms that include yellowing leaves that fall prematurely. It sometimes affects only one side of the tree, leaving the other looking healthy and normal. Of course I was careful not to infect other plants and did root washing far and planted it to far corner as well. "Phyton 27 and any trials conducted using this product to treat VW have had inconclusive results". No. I couldn't stand it, so it killed me, but I took it out. that I have had to cut branch after branch off. Or is there some sort of fertilizer/food I can add to the soil to help the tree? I'm hoping that there is something I can do to help restore the tree's health. PDMR 3:OT024. One customer came in lately with a Japanese maple sample that we thought probably had it and she sent a sample to the Washington State Extension Service to have it confirmed. Image 5483034 is of Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae ) culture on Amur maple. Verticillium Wilt. Not sure what the style is now when one is doing contemporary patios. Bonide Solutions: A widespread fungus, verticillium is a soil-borne organism that plugs water-conducting vessels. Acer palmatums planted in clay soil often succumb to various disease which I can not identify. The problem is probably either in the roots, like root rot, or because of an infection in the xylem layer that is blocking the sap, like Verticillium wilt. 5 of this newsletter. Verticillium Wilt, often called Maple wilt, is a very common disease that attacks a large number of trees. There is no chemical cure. Smaller, younger trees tend to fail rapidly compared to larger, more mature trees, which can live for years with the pathogen. Now maybe the verticillium will keep taking parts of your tree and that will answer your question without any thought about it.Kay. Verticillium Wilt. 34 FEBRUARY 2013 DIGGER. In spring, the nutrients are brought back up by sap to the branches and leaves. (Answer) Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners. Verticillium wilt is one of the most common and destructive diseases of shade and ornamental trees in Indiana. Maple Wilt. The drain pipes on the back of the house were missing! VERTICILLIUM WILT OF ORNAMENTAL TREES . Some of the plants may be almost in full bloom when this happens. –peppermint), and woody species (ex. Typically, maple trees can live healthy lives for up to 300 years, but sometimes they fall prey to illness. Both front and back lawns have quite a bit of moss. These fungi may attack more than three hundred woody and herbaceous plant species. Indication: Wilting and dieback from the edges of the leaves in late spring/early summer followed by blackening of the branches, gradually working its way down through the trunk. Letting go when a new owner dares to change a beloved house's look can be downright difficult. When the roots of susceptible plants grow close to the microsclerotia, the fungus germinates and infects the roots of the plants through wounds or natural openings. These fungi may attack more than three hundred woody and herbaceous plant species. To ask a question, simply go to the OSU Extension website and type in a question and the county where you live. Others are gone rather quickly. Verticillium wilt: Early symptoms of verticillium wilt include heavy seed production, leaves that are smaller than normal, and browning of the margins of leaves. Target: More than 200 plant species, including tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, and Japanese maple. I will welcome the sanity you will bring in the craziness and loudness. I have a Tamukeama (sp?) Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease caused by soil-borne pathogens Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. "Plant pathogenic Verticillium species: how many of them are there?" It sounds as if your Japanese maples are suffering from Verticillium wilt. The Plant Health Instructor.DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-0801-01 Updated 2005. Frequency. You can’t treat verticillium wilt. We'll treat for the moss then thought we might over seed, adding a grass more shade tolerant...is there one? These microsclerotia may lie dormant in the soil for years. The smallest branches may not exhibit th… is 10'. What caused the branches to die is not clear from your information and images. Fertilize moderately, avoiding high nitrogen fertilizers that encourage rapid, lush growth and keep the tree adequately hydrated. Such a large area has to have "segments"...don't know what that would be called...joints? Landscape Japanese maple trees -- Acer palmatum -- with wilting leaves should not be removed; they may be able to recover from an attack of two different types of fungi. - Multnomah County. Resistant trees include birch, dogwood, boxwood, sweetgum and others. 3, 27 Nine other species of Verticillium are also recognized that cause wilt in certain hosts, but none have as wide of a host range as V. dahliae. The best course of action is to remove affected plants to prevent the spread of the disease. happy so you just have to amend for other items. Trees, trees, trees. Other than the blossoms that shoot up from huechera that eventually should be cut back, the foliage is low maintenance. Since it is a pathogen that attacks the tree's vascular system, that makes sense - larger trees will have a more extensive vascular system that may compartmentalize the pathogen, allowing portions of the tree to survive. If the maple looks terrible after the branches come off...I can't live with it. VERTICILLIUM WILT: !!! I was trying to figure out if I had a place for that Elderberry and this does make me think twice. Also, remove and discard debris from susceptible vegetable plants. Japanese maples are excellent for smaller spaces as they grow easily in a compact environment. Perennials, trees, and shrubs may be kept alive with proper care, but you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. Verticillium dahliae has a widespread distribution in temperate climates and a broad host range that includes hundreds of dicotyledonous hosts in at least fourteen plant families. If your Japanese maple suddenly has a large branch, or a pretty big section of the tree that appears to suddenly just up and die. The tree was many years old but died quickly. Once a plant is infected, it will eventually die. What about the product known as "Phyton-27". Last year my husband started putting Christmas lights up in the backyard that we can see from our family room instead of in the front yard. I would LOVE to have natural brass faucets, faucet knobs, door handles, etc. Frequently, the foliage on only one side of a tree wilts. Perennial flowers susceptible to the disease include asters, mums, shasta daisies, coreopsis, dahlias, larkspur, bleeding heart, peonies, and phlox. They eventually turn brown and drop off. Townsend, A.M., Schreiber, L.R., Hall, T.J., and Bentz, S.E. We still have wreaths on the door with spotlights that others can see. 36 and Lyon offers one such guide. This Acer Japonicum 'Aconitifolium' at Hoyt Arboretum is healthy. Thought we might come up with some dark red plants to mix in front juniper bed to tie lava rock in...maybe heuchera? But maples and many other plants are very susceptible to Verticillium wilt. What is there to loose? maples. It is caused by two species of fungi that live in the soil: Verticillium albo-atrum and Vertcillium dahlia.The disease affects many types of trees, shrubs, and plants with maple trees being particularly susceptible. By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. Find the benefits and an installation how-to here. 16 pictures total. Acute and chronic symptoms of verticillium wilt in sugar maple: leaf scorch and stunting (left), premature fall coloration and stunting (middle), healthy plant (right). Or if you'd like, I can give you mine. I had an older Beni Otaki that I cut off just leaving a few healthy branches at the bottom, but it just looked stupid. If the leaves of your Japanese maple have leaves that are wilting and turning yellow or brown, it might have Verticillium wilt. An infected tree just doesn't have the proper, intact internal mechanisms to process and support this type of growth. But eventually, verticillium wilt IS fatal to Japanese maples, typically sooner rather than later :-( Should you elect to live with it for whatever time it has left, prune out and destroy the affected branches, making sure you disinfect your pruners with every cut. Q: I have an older (60- to 90-year-old) lace leaf Japanese maple that has only sprouted leaves on a small portion of its branches this season.