I have a Japanese Maple that is at least 45 years old in my front yard. A couple of weeks ago, I put down some shreded mulch. I noticed a few white strings and antlike bugs. Since that time, leaves have browned and dropped and the branches are starting to become brittle. Please help me save my tree.
Are there any other symptons of decline? Where are you located, what is your weather like and how much water is your tree getting? Have you fertilized this year, if so when and what did you use? What variety is it? Can you post a picture of the damaged parts?
Ants are sometimes a sign of aphids (long story), the stringy stuff could be mycellium, a stage of mushroom growth; not oo uncommon in older bark mulch. How is the browning and dieback occuring?
