My Laceleaf Japanese Maple Tree?
Question:The leaves seem to be dried out even though the soil is plenty wet. It is the laceleaf variety, and I know not to water the leaves, only the soil. What do you think is causing the dried out limp look to my tree?
Answers:
I own a garden center in Arkansas. Our Japanese Maples' leaves will start to get a little crunchy this time every year as the sun is just SOOO hot. They are very delicate trees. It never has killed our trees, but they look pretty rough until fall. One summer we had 100 degree weather for 30 plus days in July and August and every tree we owned dropped all their leaves, then leafed back out in the fall - strange but true! It is a tree's defense mechanism - they will shed all their leaves so they can concentrate on keeping their core alive and not have to worry about keeping green (or red) growing leaves.
What I am concerned about for your tree is your statement of it being "plenty wet" and the appearance of "limp". Japanese maples need little water and can sometimes appear dry and thirsty when in fact they are overwatered or are sitting in a spot that holds more water than they want or need. They like for the roots to be moist, but not sitting in water. You might want to back off on the water for a while and see if that helps. If it continues to look limp, (give it 7 - 10 days with no water or rain) then you may want to dig it up and replant at a shallower depth. It could be that the particular spot it is planted in is accumulating water that you aren't aware of and just needs to be lifted some to keep its roots from sitting directly in too much water.
I hope this helps! My heart is aching with you - I know how pretty and pricey they can be! Good Luck!
Is it getting afternoon sun? Most of them,other than red, prefer morning sun only. Good luck---
Sounds like sun scorch to me. The plant is probably getting to much sun or to hot of sun for to long. You may have to replant the tree in another spot.
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