Maple Leaves Turning Red in Summer - Ask Extension
Our two young maple trees (planted August 2018) have turned red over the past couple weeks. We have a watering system in which the zone waters the tre...
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Maple Leaves Turning Red in Summer #578277
Asked July 09, 2019, 10:53 AM EDT
Our two young maple trees (planted August 2018) have turned red over the past couple weeks. We have a watering system in which the zone waters the tree for 21 minutes every other day. I've purchased two GatorBags in hopes that the color change was related to heat stress, but it doesn't seem to be having much effect. My neighbor has two trees that are turning color as well, just not as quickly. There doesn't appear to be any fungus around the base/mulch. Fertilizer is applied to the lawn surrounding the trees monthly by a local provider.
Carver County Minnesota
Expert Response
Usually when trees change color prematurely it indicates stress to the tree. Are you watering every other day even when it rains? They may be over watered. Trees need about an inch of rain per week on average. It is better to water thoroughly once or twice than to water a little bit more often. If it rains there is no need to water. There is a little leaf gall but that has nothing to do with the color change. I would suggest adjusting your watering. If your soil is clay and compacted then the water will not drain away very quickly either.
