Problem with a broad leaf acer.

[Digifrog]

Hello

I'm worried about my acer. It's similar to this one...


It's a deciduous acer (drops it's leaves about October, buds in april.) and it has been in my garden for 3 years now. It's about 6 feet tall at its' tallest stem and about 5 feet in diameter.

It's been doing pretty well the last 2 summers, growing ever bigger and doing as it should. However this year, it budded at its usual time, and the leaves started to grow but within a matter of weeks (I'd say from mid may) all the leaves have started to wilt, and some have gone brown and the whole thing looks like it's about to die. I don't understand what's happening as the last 2 years it has been more than fine.

Can anyone offer an answer?

Thanks in advance.

[mrs fish]

It could of been a cold wind, my dads has done the same, he has been told it will recover but was probably due to a very cold wind.

Perhaps yours is the same?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Digifrog

Hello

I'm worried about my acer. It's similar to this one...


It's a deciduous acer (drops it's leaves about October, buds in april.) and it has been in my garden for 3 years now. It's about 6 feet tall at its' tallest stem and about 5 feet in diameter.

It's been doing pretty well the last 2 summers, growing ever bigger and doing as it should. However this year, it budded at its usual time, and the leaves started to grow but within a matter of weeks (I'd say from mid may) all the leaves have started to wilt, and some have gone brown and the whole thing looks like it's about to die. I don't understand what's happening as the last 2 years it has been more than fine.

Can anyone offer an answer?

Thanks in advance.

Have a look at: Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Acer Leaf Scorch

If the damage is similar then I suggest you most likely have a water supply/exposure problem. The hot dry spring will almost certainly be the prime reason - but as your tree matures it's demand for water increases which is perhaps why you have not had this problem before. It goes without saying that the RHS advice should be followed.

CM

[thunder]

My neighbour had a red-leaved acer similar to yours suffer from leaf scorch a couple of years ago, but she moved it to a more sheltered place (it was in a tub) and made sure it had enough water and it has fully recovered.

henrya

[seamusagleann]

a good indicator for browning of leaves is if it's discolouring from the tip inwards it's probably frost/ cold wind damage . from the stem outwards suspect nutrient / inscect damage