I have a green Japanese maple that I think may be getting sun burned in Vancouver. I have had it for several years in pots out side in full sun for two years and partial sun for one year. It is now about 10' (3m) tall and about 6' (2m) diameter with about 4 main branches. Last year I planted it in the ground on the North side of the house just inside the drip line of a huge Oak tree. All though it is on the north it gets full sun from about 11 am to 5pm this time of year. I have noticed that one of the branches is not growing healthy leaves & the bark is a translucent brown rather than the light green of the rest of the tree. When I look at all the branches they appear to have bleached on the top and west surfaces and even look damaged where the branches ar not green. It grew health leaves this spring, but does not seem to be sending out many new branches. It is in poor soil as well as lots of sun. I use Oak leaves for mulch & have kept it well watered in the dry spells. Should I cover it in some kind of shade cloth and give it fertilizer or top dress the soil. If the branch dies can I prune this time of year? I am concerned that the sickness will spread to the next healthy brance at the fork. I like it where it is and I am attached to the tree, but it would cost more to get the tree doctor in than it would to replace. Any ideas?
I don't think a local tree company would charge you just to come look at it? Do you have any pictures of the tree? And I would think if a branch is definately dead, remove it right away. If it still showing signs of life, then I would give it a chance. There is nothing I would suggest to spray on it this time of year. It may be fighting with the Oak tree for the water it gets. It may have had damge when planted last year and showing symptoms now, its hard to say, maybe this rainy weather will help it. I am sure you will get some better advice from the maple specialists in this forum. Jim.
I do not believe that your problem comes from too much sun. Most green palmatums take full sun at your latitude. What do you mean by poor soil: heavy clay?, rocky alkaline? Gomero
Old fill The front yard would have been filled by the municipality in the 1960's. It is a loose brown sandy mix with little organic material. There is always the potential for toxic waste to be mixed with fill in our area, but the the Oak tree and other plants around it are health. It was originaly planted in a large hole with compost, manure and other good soil. Can I top dress and fertilize to make up for the lack of organics deeper down? Are they prone to mould or fungus from my roses near by? I'll try to get photo's tonight if it does not rain. Thanks Ian
Your tree's problems could be a combination of factors. First, it might still be adjusting to the new location and shock of transplanting. Larger trees take longer to adjust. Second, it could be getting too much root competition from the large oak. Large established trees can suck the soil dry around them. Third, it could be getting too much hot afternoon sun. Although many green varieties can take more sun, that doesn't mean they prefer it. I planted a Viridis in a sunny location a while back and it never did well there, with lots of burned leaf tips. After I moved it to a shadier location, it thrived -- even though it gets a lot of root competition from a nearby red maple (A. rubrum).
Sun burnt Maple Photo's Here are some Photos of the victim. The Oak tree is about 25' (6m) away. Photos showing past pruning when the tree was still potted. Damage seems to be on the bark. The leaves on the health parts of the tree are not burning. Soil in the root ball is rich black, but the native soil is the brown that I coverd the good soil with when I planted it last year. I'm not sure if these will load up it is my first try. I may move it, but it would not like to move this time of year. My biggest concern is that if I loose the branch beside the sick on, see the photo at the fork, I'll loose more than 1/2 the total foilage. Thanks for all the help so far. Ian
