Due to other work we were having done in our yard, we had to transplant a Japanese Maple last week. It was replanted immediately after it was pulled up by a landscaper. The day of the transplant and the day after (Wednesday - 4 days ago) it was about 100 degrees Friday and today we went to high 80's. The leaves have turned yellow and are brittle. I saw a site where it was said if you absolutely must transplant in mid-summer you should cut back some of the longer branches to remove some of the leaves so the tree would require less water to survive (I did this today, two days after the leaves had started to turn yellow). As a newbee I have absolutely no idea how a transplanted tree should look and what my plan of care should be (I do know it should not have been done in late July/August). Prior to transplanting it appeared to be healthy (with little attention on my part). The new spot is about 10 feet from where the old spot was so I don't think the soil is an issue. Is there anything I can do to help this trees chances. Also, if the tree does lose its leaves should I wait until next year to see if it comes back or would it already be too late at that point. The tree was planted originally between 4 + 5 years ago when the house was built. I'll try to figure out how to post a pic or two. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
When someone generously donated to the UWBG Arboretum an Acer palmatum that was over 100 years old, staff kept it covered with a shade cloth for the entire first season. Given that your specimen was transplanted at the worst possible time, I would figure out some way to place shade cloth over the tree, perhaps by securing it to the roof on one side with poles on the other side? Calculate how much you will need, and perhaps someone else will advise which percentage of UV blockage would be best, e.g. 50% or 80%. Admittedly, I have never had to save a tree under these circumstances.
Cutting back branches was not a good idea (don't believe everything you hear/read!) as it just added more stress at a time when your tree had little chance to survive to begin with. It would have been good in early spring, however.
