---
title: "I got this japanese maple from a friend but it looks like it’s dead,…"
description: "I got this japanese maple from a friend but it looks like it’s dead, or dying. I’m not really sure, I’m a super beginner and don’t know what to do!! the pot…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/I8Gb0Hxfe8uyDo4UCXkyRP"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "audrey"
published: "2025-05-01T07:05:03.399551Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sd_E8vyevoWjxc2fIw4iAJVwr0_SoWDEdm-sZ1EfcSY/Ghvkgk0PTT-phC0dyRyakg.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# I got this japanese maple from a friend but it looks like it’s dead,…

_Posted by audrey on 2025-05-01_

I got this japanese maple from a friend but it looks like it’s dead, or dying. I’m not really sure, I’m a super beginner and don’t know what to do!! the pot has drainage holes and I’ve been watering it.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sd_E8vyevoWjxc2fIw4iAJVwr0_SoWDEdm-sZ1EfcSY/Ghvkgk0PTT-phC0dyRyakg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sd_E8vyevoWjxc2fIw4iAJVwr0_SoWDEdm-sZ1EfcSY/BW1dMdy7SkWHXvPBtpo2Bw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sd_E8vyevoWjxc2fIw4iAJVwr0_SoWDEdm-sZ1EfcSY/mV1oDwjqScSXj1tcEyvXhA.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Yolanda commented on 2025-05-01

I don’t much about this plant but in my opinion it looks dead. I found this on google for you.. good luck!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YJJidWl8yghcg0Wa-wOE-i_0s9kY6A5yWb8qoP4VOxs/XB9y7OXmSo6SmC19G4XXTQ.webp?size=large)

#### audrey replied on 2025-05-02

thank you so much!

### KJM commented on 2025-05-01

Even if some of the branches are dead it does not mean the entire plant is dead. Japanese maples are deciduous so they will drop all their leaves in the fall... At least they do in my area. Even bonsai Japanese maple will follow a normal life cycle. Check the roots and do the thumb scraping for evidence of living tissue. You can also trim a branch that isn't too important starting at the tip and nip off an inch or so and see if there's life. If it's dry and brittle nip off a little more and a little more until you find life hopefully. It looks like a little pruning would be beneficial for it anyways.

### KJM commented on 2025-05-01

If you find life in the branches, give it some fertilizer and do some pruning to shape it up, put it in good light and water properly. I do think it's getting on in the spring and you should have seen at least a little growth by now so there is a possibility that the plant has died.

#### audrey replied on 2025-05-02

okay thank you!!

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