Problems with Acer Palmatum (bloodgood)

HI

I have a japanese Acer (palmatum) i bought mid summer 2 years ago, its been fine ever since it was planted but at the moment is showing no sign of life, no leaves or anything, I though maybe I was just being too eager but i would have expected to see some sign of life by now as its nearly April.

Ive also noticed that some of the braches have gone completely white in places, Ive searched on line and couldnt really find any help , does anyone have experience with these and has it died =(

I read somewhere about feeding it with Fish blood or bone meal so i put some down last week but it still no sign of anything leaves, or any growth, i know its been a particularly harsh winter this yeah but most other things seem to have survived .

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Hi, the branches/twigs that are white are definately dead. I live in Scotland and at quite a high altitude but all my Acers (don't have bloodgood tho) are showing signs of growth here now. The easiest was to tell if if hasn't made this last awful winter is to scape back a little of a branche's bark. If it peels easily and is green underneath you are in business, if it is very hard to peel and is pale brown colour underneath then not go. Keep working your way back the branches as it may well be the older parts are ok and it is only last year's (ie more tender) growth that hasn't made it. I had Bloodgood in another garden. It survived a bad winter but was an older specimen. Hope it isn't for the compost heap!

 

thanks for the advice chaps, I will go out and check it when im next at home in daylight and see how its looking

 

update:
HAve been out to look at the tree today, the main stem is easy to peel and green underneath as are some of the branches, even one of the branches which is white at the join with the stem had green underneath it further along the branch,....
So maybe theres hope, still no sign of any leaf growth tho, maybe it will be late or maybe not get leaves this year, maybe thers time.......
if it survives I'll make sure next winter its covered up ...