Hello, I had an Autumn Blaze planted this past June, and have battled with keeping it healthy since day#1. The person who planted the maple told us that three full watering cans should be enough per week, but obviously it was not. After reading some posts, I do not think the tree was even watered in. After calling the tree farm, they suggested an inch per week due to the clay in the soil. It seems to have picked up, however all the new leaves seems to turn black on the edges and eventually fall off. Secondly, there are black spots on leaves which from my research seem to be "tar spots". Can someone confirm if they are in fact "tar spots"? Lastly, the bark seems to be splitting, and is flat, soft and has a hollow portion one side of the tree near the start of the branches. When I look into the split, the bark seems to have been lifted from the tree. What is it and what would cause this? Thank you, Sean
Kayst, it is alive after a June transplant so you have not done that well. Perhaps June is milder in Ottawa than St Louis but it still was leafed out during transplant so you are doing ok. No doubt the tree is a little stressed. For watering, stick your thumb into the rootball and see if it getting wet. Rootballs and yard soils do not always transfer water well. This year water at the tree. Starting the second year I like watering around the tree to encourage the roots to grow out if possible. The split in the bark sun split? Little you can do about it anyways. For some reason I cant resist spraying whatever plant safe bug spray is in vogue. Good luck with your tree.
With respect, I think this tree is in trouble. The black spot doesn't bother me much, but your description of new leaves turning black and falling off is disturbing. Certainly spraying with a broad spectrum fungicide would be a good idea -- and will help with the tar spot if that's what it is -- but my experience is that young leaves going black is a sign of root problems, possibly "wet feet" where the roots are in very wet gloopy soil. The only way to look for this is to get some sort of sample from the root area or below. I'm almost tempted to speculate on phytophthora, in which case Aliette would be indicated. Check for the root collar and make sure the tree hasn't been planted too deeply. The most disturbing picture to me is the second. IMHO all the darker grey bark area is dead or will die, leaving the tree really struggling having lost approximately half it's capacity to feed itself. I don't see how this damage happened since June even if it wasn't readily apparent when you bought the tree. Given that it probably came from before you bought it, and that this is a common (but good!) plant, I would ask to have the tree replaced. HTH -E
