Red maple struggling - Ask Extension
Hi, we planted this red maple tree early spring and it is in an area that gets pretty much full on partial shade in the early afternoon
We keep it ...
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Red maple struggling #937210
Asked June 29, 2026, 2:01 PM EDT
Hi, we planted this red maple tree early spring and it is in an area that gets pretty much full on partial shade in the early afternoon
We keep it watered religiously
You can see that the leaves are scratching around the side and then eventually die off. We’re not sure if it’s a disease there are other red maples in our neighborhood in full sun that don’t suffer from this kind of issue. Looking forward to your advice.!
Thank you!!
New Castle County Delaware
Expert Response
Hello and thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Japanese Red Maples tend to be a bit dramatic, especially after being transplanted. This is most likely environmental stress and not an infectious disease. The most probable cause is that the roots are not supplying water to the tree as quickly as it is evaporating from the leaves thereby drying out the leaves.
Sometimes the rootball is just not large enough for the amount of leaves the tree has. This happens because the rootball has been pruned to fit into the container for sale and there just aren't enough roots to provide enough moisture to all the leaves that are on the tree.
A few things to consider:
- i do see that there is mulch down, under the tree, but is it enough - the recommendation is for 2-3 inches of mulch to be under the tree (and not up against the trunk) to keep the soil moist and the soil temperature cool.
- when you say you are watering religiously - deep watering is what is recommended. I'm not sure what you mean by "religiously," but plants prefer deep, sustained waterings rather that shallow waterings every day.
- did you use fertilizer after you planted. If you did, the tree may not have needed it and that is what is causing the leaf scorch.
My advice would be to continue watering the tree. If you can, find a way to water continuosly, especially over the next few days and continue to monitor the tree.
Once the tree is established you will run into this issue less in the future.
Good Luck and Good Gardening,
Best regards,
J.W. Wistermayer
UD NCC Master Gardener
Japanese Red Maples tend to be a bit dramatic, especially after being transplanted. This is most likely environmental stress and not an infectious disease. The most probable cause is that the roots are not supplying water to the tree as quickly as it is evaporating from the leaves thereby drying out the leaves.
Sometimes the rootball is just not large enough for the amount of leaves the tree has. This happens because the rootball has been pruned to fit into the container for sale and there just aren't enough roots to provide enough moisture to all the leaves that are on the tree.
A few things to consider:
- i do see that there is mulch down, under the tree, but is it enough - the recommendation is for 2-3 inches of mulch to be under the tree (and not up against the trunk) to keep the soil moist and the soil temperature cool.
- when you say you are watering religiously - deep watering is what is recommended. I'm not sure what you mean by "religiously," but plants prefer deep, sustained waterings rather that shallow waterings every day.
- did you use fertilizer after you planted. If you did, the tree may not have needed it and that is what is causing the leaf scorch.
My advice would be to continue watering the tree. If you can, find a way to water continuosly, especially over the next few days and continue to monitor the tree.
Once the tree is established you will run into this issue less in the future.
Good Luck and Good Gardening,
Best regards,
J.W. Wistermayer
UD NCC Master Gardener
