Japanese Maple Leaf Wilt - Ask Extension
I have a young Emperor I Japanese Maple, Acer Palmatum ‘Emperor I’, that has leaves wilting in a couple areas this spring. The buds on one branch ...
Knowledgebase
Japanese Maple Leaf Wilt #868130
Asked May 12, 2024, 10:19 PM EDT
I have a young Emperor I Japanese Maple, Acer Palmatum ‘Emperor I’, that has leaves wilting in a couple areas this spring. The buds on one branch failed to leaf out. I bought this tree about 5 years ago, so it’s fairly young. I’m unsure of how to treat it. It’s a beautiful tree.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
The wilted leaves are likely frost damage from the couple of late frosts this spring. There may be dormant buds on those branches that sprout later this year. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont_panic_over_frost_damage_to_trees_and_shrubs
Enviroweather is a tool growers use, and you may use it, too.
https://enviroweather.msu.edu/weathermodels/weathersummary
I attached a screen shot that shows Oakland county weather station in Commerce twp. Recorded 3 nights in late April below freezing, April 24-26.
Japanese maple can have some dieback over winter. Prune back branches that didn’t leaf out at all by June. The area will fill in over the next couple of seasons.
The wilted leaves are likely frost damage from the couple of late frosts this spring. There may be dormant buds on those branches that sprout later this year. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont_panic_over_frost_damage_to_trees_and_shrubs
Enviroweather is a tool growers use, and you may use it, too.
https://enviroweather.msu.edu/weathermodels/weathersummary
I attached a screen shot that shows Oakland county weather station in Commerce twp. Recorded 3 nights in late April below freezing, April 24-26.
Japanese maple can have some dieback over winter. Prune back branches that didn’t leaf out at all by June. The area will fill in over the next couple of seasons.
