What's wrong with my Japanese Maple?

[ENVY23]

New tree, bought it from a local nursery a couple of months ago. As you can tell by the pics it's very young. I haven't done anything to it other than when I dropped some slow release starter when I planted it. I water it every 2-3 days since its been 90*+ lately, and it catches some Milo from the spreader once a month when I spread it on my lawn. Other than that I leave it alone. Any ideas why the leaves are browning and curling? Heat? Disease? Thanks in advance for the help.






[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ENVY23]

I apologize for the sore necks, I forgot I had to hold my iPhone a certain way when taking the pics to keep the images from being rotated.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[andy10917]

I believe that the culprit is clearly visible in the Pictures. Japanese Maples *hate* overwatering. The "shock" period is long over. Supplement natural rainfall when things are scarce, otherwise the plant is ready to make it on its own.

[ENVY23]

Gotcha! Thanks! I figured with the tree being so young, relatively newly planted and temps staying in the 90s, it needed somewhat frequent watering for its first year. I'll put the hose away now. lol

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[andy10917]

My 20-year old Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple at the 3 o'clock position...

[LoneRanger]

I picked up the cutest little Sango Kaku last week. It's still in the 3.68 TG pot. It'll be transplanted in a week or so. I spritz it 2 or 3 times a day and that is all. JMs don't like wett feet. You've got mulch, so just give it a 1/4 to 1/2 gallon a day, in windy hot weather.

Which variety is that? I forget the names with the green bark.

[OldGlory]

I am rapidly losing two of my baby maples to the drought. They were planted last spring but it has been so dry this year I cant water enough.

[Overfloater]

I'm guessing over watering also.

It's not like when somebody buys a 10 foot tree and they cut off 90% of the root mass or transport. Those trees can't get enough water due to root loss.

This baby tree surely had all it's roots when you planted it? Should be fine with minimal watering.

I have planted quite a few knockout roses, boxwoods, spirea, and other plants and have found that after about a month of minimal watering, they are usually just find on their own.

[ Post made via Android ]

[1977212]

Almost half of my transplanted bush maples have died this year. I just think they don't do well

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[LoneRanger]

My Sango Kaku is struggling in the pot. I have to lightly water it 2 or 3 times a day.

[Overfloater]

Pots are a different animal. I have flowers in pots that need to be watered at a minimum daily in the summer.

Those tiny pots don't hold much water and heat up quick.

[ Post made via Android ]

[OldGlory]

I lost four maples to the draught this year

[ENVY23]

Thanks for the help guys. I've laid off the water, however we've been getting rain of around 0.25" every 4-5 days, so I haven't really seen any improvement yet. I just wanted to make sure the sun wasn't scorching it. If that were the case, I would much rather relocate it now while it's still young than to try and do it later. In it's current location it gets full sun until around 4pm and shade after that. Temps still remain in the high 80s/low 90s.

[LoneRanger]

I would think in TN it needs shade in the afternoon.

[LoneRanger]

Any updates, ENVY23?

[ENVY23]

No real changes yet. On the upside it hasn't gotten any worse, but unfortunately it doesn't appear to have gotten any better either. I did notice that it put out a few new leaves that are bright red, not deep maroon like the rest. I haven't watered it at all since Andy's post, but have given the leaves a light mist on the hotter days when I get home to try and cool it off. If it doesn't get better by this fall, I may transplant it to a different location.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[andy10917]

While a Japanese Maple doesn't put out many new leaves this time of year, watch any new leaves that it DOES put out. Do they show the same damage at the margins, or do they stay completely fine? You can't fix the ones already damaged - just avoid adding to the damaged leaves.

[ENVY23]

I counted them when I went home earlier. 5 new leaves, and they've been there about a week. It's been hot and dry, and there's no damage to them, which leads me to believe the damage was more than likely caused by my watering habits and not the sun scorching them. I plan to keep a close eye on them.