Bandages on a Very Sick Japanese Maple

For nearly 20 years this Japanese Maple tree has been beautiful in the front yard, but has gone into decline over the past 2 years and sadly to me is now half dead despite my best efforts to treat and revive it. It looks pitiful and bare without most of its leaves, so I decided to hang a dozen begonia baskets from its limbs for a punch of color and greenery. However, I dislike the tacky effect...reminds me of silly autographs on the cast of a broken leg or those gaudy Band-Aids on a scratched child. This winter when it goes dormant, it will need major pruning.