Dieback

[Johnliem]

Hello,


I’m a newbie and just wondering if anyone can tell me about dieback. Will it also happen if I prune or cut a branch of any kind of maple during the dormant season, like in late March? thank you.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Dieback happens when there's nothing for the plant to sustain that area, and it will die back to the closest node where there's a valve system that stops the sap flow from seeping out of the open wound further along the branch.
Dieback can also happen in case of frosts, when delicate branches don't contain enough antifreeze materials to stop ice crystals from forming, OR they dry out due to the lack of proper vascular system.

Will dieback happen if you prune or cut in a dormant season? It depends on the type of maple, and the severity of the cutback and also on how much of a stub you leave.
March over here is spring, when things start growing. I don't consider it a dormant season.
But the chances are that if it's a dormant season in your area, you could potentially experience some dieback. It's better to avoid that risk all together.

 

[Johnliem]

Thank you for your reply. I have another question, see photo how do I prune the best way to avoid dieback, just above the green color on the brown area? Is that correct

 

[dbonsaiw]

timing of the cut is important. Doing it in late winter/early spring as the tree starts to wake or in the summer will give you best results. The brown is die back. The tree will die back to a point where it can start regrowing - usually the next lower node. This is the healing process of the wounds we cause.

 

[SeanS]

Are you asking about how to prune off the stubs (marked in red)?



Those stubs have already died back and will continue to die back down to the next node, indicated by the srrows

 

[Johnliem]

Thank you and much appreciate it. So do I need tk prune it next year till the end of th brown color?