I repoted a Japanese maple from nursery stock this spring. All indications after winter looked like the tree was fine. Buds were swelling and the tree was starting to push sap. After reducing the rootball by just about half the tree started to look in poor health. I assumed I cut to much. I had placed it in very free draining mix and in the shade. It was doing ok, but not great. Today I found very small (smaller than a pin head) black, round bugs at the base of the trees trunk. There were also very fine wood shavings Around some parts of the trunk. I’m sure these bugs are boring into the trunk. Is there any hope for this tree? What should be done? Was the poor health caused by the bugs or was the poor health of the tree the reason they attacked it? Also It has been isolated from all the other trees. Please let me know. If it can be saved great, but I would like to learn from the mistake. I don’t think I can get a reasonable picture either, they are too small.
