Japanese maple - Ask Extension
Japanese maple in my backyard has burnt looking leaves. This happens every year. Any suggestions on how to fix it?
Knowledgebase
Japanese maple #875374
Asked June 30, 2024, 4:49 PM EDT
Japanese maple in my backyard has burnt looking leaves. This happens every year. Any suggestions on how to fix it?
Macomb County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Shawna
Japanese maples, especially the narrow-leaf ones, prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. They all need consistently moist well-drained soil (but not soggy, wet soil).
If your lace-leaf maple tree is receiving too much direct sun you will have this leaf scorch problem.
Moving the plant to an afternoon shaded location; placing other plants several feet away to its south and/or west to provide shade, are two solutions.
Check the soil about 4 inches down to be sure it is receiving enough water. Less competition for water from the nearby day lilies maybe helpful.
Here is an article with more about leaf scorch on Japanese maple, how to water and mulch it:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=15059
Japanese maples, especially the narrow-leaf ones, prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. They all need consistently moist well-drained soil (but not soggy, wet soil).
If your lace-leaf maple tree is receiving too much direct sun you will have this leaf scorch problem.
Moving the plant to an afternoon shaded location; placing other plants several feet away to its south and/or west to provide shade, are two solutions.
Check the soil about 4 inches down to be sure it is receiving enough water. Less competition for water from the nearby day lilies maybe helpful.
Here is an article with more about leaf scorch on Japanese maple, how to water and mulch it:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=15059
Thank you for your help!
Shawna
You are welcome, glad to help.
