This article contains a detailed description of some of the challenges that sometimes arise when growing Acer palmatum. You will also learn exactly what to do in each case.
QUICK ANSWER: Diseases that occur because the soil is too moist are the main reason for the wilting of the Japanese maple leaves. Drought stress, frost damage, and herbicides are also causes of leaf wilt.
Natural drooping
The Japanese Maple’s new leaves may wilt in spring without entirely unfolding. This effect is further exacerbated after rainfall.
This is due to the immaturity of the leaf tissues and leaf petioles. The leaves sag under their weight. If it rains simultaneously, the leaves become even heavier and droop even more.
How to fix
There is nothing to do about it. The more mature the foliage becomes, the less sagging it will be. By mid-season, you won’t even notice that the leaves have been drooping.
However, you should pay attention to water at this time because young leaves are susceptible to too little and too much water. Water the maple when the soil is about 2 inches dry.
Read more: Complete Guide to Growing Healthy Japanese Maples
Summer drought
The second case is the summer drought. If the weather is too hot and dry in the middle of the season, the Japanese maple leaves can wilt because of low fluid pressure in the leaves.
This is common in young or potted maples. Also, drought stress occurs much more often if the maple is growing in sandy soil than in clay soil.
How to fix
In the first and second years after planting, constantly check the soil. If it is more than 2 inches dry, water the maple with 1-2 gallons. This is especially important during the summer months.
For potted maples, check soil moisture regularly. Do not let the potting soil dry out more than 1 inch. Mulch the root zone with compost or pine bark chips.
Read also: Japanese Maple Watering.
Diseases
The first Japanese maple disease that causes leaf wilting is Verticillium Wilt. The pathogens of this disease enter the tree through wounds or a damaged root system.
The disease then begins to develop, destroying the tissues from within. As a result, the water supply to the leaves is cut off, and the leaves wither. Also, black areas can appear on the branches or trunk.
The second disease is root rot. It has the same symptoms as the previous one because the roots cannot work correctly, and the leaves suffer from dehydration.
How to fix
There is currently no effective treatment for either disease. Control is limited to preventing infestation.
The first thing you need to avoid is overwatering the maples. Plant maples in well-drained soil improved with organic matter.
Always use sterile tools when pruning the tree. Spray wounds after pruning with an aqueous solution of multipurpose fungicide.
Read also: How Do You Treat Fungus On A Japanese Maple?
Frost damage
Another spring problem is late frosts. Very often, a sudden drop in temperature can occur during any month of spring.
If the leaves on the Japanese Maple are already growing at this time, the frost will damage them. The more mature leaves will suffer less, but the young ones may die.
After frost damage, the leaves will become watery and wilt. If wet and cloudy weather follows, they will turn black.
How to fix
Watch the weather during the spring months. If frost is coming, you must cover the Japanese Maple for that time.
Use frost protection material to cover the tree, which you can buy at the garden center. Make sure the material is air-permeable. Never use plastic for covering.
If your maple grows in a pot, move it to the garage. After a frost, move it back in.
Newly planted Japanese maple leaves wilting
Newly planted or transplanted maples are most susceptible to leaf wilt. This is especially common in the first summer after planting.
This is because the roots of a young maple are not yet developed. As a result, it isn’t easy to get the necessary amount of water on its own.
How to fix
Plant or transplant Japanese Maple only in early spring to avoid leaf wilting. Do as minor root damage as possible during transplanting—transplant on a cloudy day instead of a sunny day.
If a newly planted Japanese maple wilts, shade it with an umbrella or shading net. The shade should remain over the maple all summer.
Water young maples no later than 2 inches dry of soil. Stick to this rule for the first 1 to 3 years.
Weed killer
Using herbicides to kill weeds in the lawn has become very common these days. However, it has many adverse effects.
If you or your neighbors have used a weed killer, some of this product could get onto other plants, including Japanese Maple. Maple leaves can wilt or become deformed when exposed to the herbicide.
How to fix
Usually, there is nothing you can do about the damage to the tree from the herbicide. If only part of the leaves is exposed, they will turn yellow and fall off, but the tree will live on and recover over time.
You can wash the weed killer off the leaves with water. This may reduce the effect of the chemicals a bit.
🍁Ask me anything in the comments!🍁
Share This Post
This article is mostly based on maples in pots, how do i fix a withering one that is planted in the ground, should I try adding fertilizer to see if it helps?
Hey Ben! Based on my experience, fertilizer tends to work best when the plant is healthy. However, if the plant appears wilted or unhealthy, it’s essential to investigate the root cause of the issue. In such cases, applying fertilizer may not be the solution to revive the plant.
I have a mature potted acer which for the first time ever has lost its leaves super early in the season? The branches have new buds at their tips, will it recover again this season? What should I do? I don’t want to lose it
Hi Ruthie. If the buds are alive, there is still a chance that the maple will recover (most likely next season). You need to identify and eliminate the cause of early leaf drop.