Acer tree still in bud...

[Roger the shrubber]

hi people

Need advice

Acer tree 15 yrs old apx 5m high 4m wide. Shed leaves in autumn as normal. Through spring buds swelled but have since failed to open. A few branches have a bit of die back. One branch with the unopened buds on i pruned scrapped bark and theres green in there. There are a few vertical cracks in the trunk about 20cm long and apx 7mm deep on one side. Any ideas on what is going on im from a horticultural background but this has me stumped many thanks

[Callum]

Could there have been any root damage?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

something has killed it, but what is the question.

[Roger the shrubber]

hi thanks for replies

has not been any ground disturbance that i know of. I have asked other people who know their stuff about trees and the general idea is if it has no leaves by now in the season its dead. As to the cause..... i not sure, will try make some pics for a autopsy and post here. One other question if we remove it and plant another acer close to where it was, is that a bad idea or is it better to try a different variety of tree such as a prunus.?

many thanks

[felixthelogchopper]

Had the same with an Ash but the other Ash next to it has come into leaf ok.