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Japanese Maples: Strange Year

Posted: December 26th, 2019, 5:34 pm
by andy10917
I have a Japanese Maple that didn't drop its leaves this Fall - they're brown but still on the tree. Then I visited my son's place on Christmas Day and saw the same thing. That made me look at lots of them on the way home, and they're all showing the habit.

Is it just my area, or is the pattern more widespread?

Given that we've had several ice storms and snow already, I'm concerned that this could lead to lost/broken limbs, as the leaves hold additional weight of snow and ice make damage more likely.

Re: Japanese Maples: Strange Year (?)

Posted: December 26th, 2019, 5:48 pm
by TimmyG
I've got a few still holding on. 'Burgundy Lace' in particular caught my eye earlier today as having far more leaves on it than it should.

Re: Japanese Maples: Strange Year (?)

Posted: December 27th, 2019, 11:52 am
by Ruxie88
Funny that you mention this. I raked some leaves last weekend and pondered why my JM still has a lot of leaves on it. Many of the others in my neighborhood are in the same boat.

Re: Japanese Maples: Strange Year (?)

Posted: December 27th, 2019, 2:16 pm
by deboy922
In north-central Indiana, my Japanese maple and weeping cherry held on to about half their leaves this year (they are usually bare by now). Other similar trees in my area also have leaves. The leaves are brown and dry, so I am not sure if they would hold on the ice and snow. Hoping the trees are OK after our dry summer and fall.

Re: Japanese Maples: Strange Year

Posted: February 2nd, 2020, 6:43 pm
by Green
I've had this happen numerous times over the past few years. There was at least one year in which the tree still had significantly more leaves at this time (early Feb.) than it does this year. Overall, for me, it tends to be a late-dropper. But it's also somewhat protected from cold air, so that figures.

Re: Japanese Maples: Strange Year

Posted: March 30th, 2020, 2:47 pm
by nclawnguy
Same thing with 3 of my 4 Japanese Maples this past winter. But it happens a fair amount where I am. I think it has to do with milder winters, least that's my theory.