By George Weigel/The Patriot-News Q: A number of branches on my Japanese maple did not leaf out this year. The wood is not dead; it is still green when I cut it. Any ideas what is causing the problem?

ONE LEAF RIDES THE WIND: Counting in a Japanese Garden Celeste Davidson Mannis, , illus. by Susan Kathleen Hartung. . Viking, $15.99 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-670-03525-0 ...

Leaves of lace leaf maples (Acer palmatum dissectum) are finely dissected so that they have a lacey appearance. Plants are dome shaped with cascading or weeping branches, maturing at 3 to 6 feet.

Q: I have a Japanese maple that has been in my front yard and perfectly healthy since before we purchased our home almost 25 years ago. Every fall, the purple leaves turn red and almost on cue ...