Why are the tips of my new maple tree turning brown? - Ask Extension
I'm growing a sapling Japanese Maple in a pot, but I'm clearly doing something wrong because the tips of the leaves are turning brown. I water it well...
Knowledgebase
Why are the tips of my new maple tree turning brown? #757080
Asked June 18, 2021, 3:35 PM EDT
I'm growing a sapling Japanese Maple in a pot, but I'm clearly doing something wrong because the tips of the leaves are turning brown. I water it well whenever the first inch of soil or so turns dry. The pot is on the West side of a fence and gets direct sun for 4-5 hours. Also, do you have any advice about taking care of this tree for the long-term (pruning, re-potting, & eventually planting this tree in the ground)? Thank you!
Jackson CountyOregon
Expert Response
First thing: move that maple out of the direct sun. Japanese maples like a cooler, (more shady) atmosphere to grow well. The tip burn it is experiencing may well be because of over-heating. They also do not like salt, which builds up especially in potted plants from fertilizer, the water itself, or poor soil choices. You can periodically flood the plant to leach out excess salt, which can also cause the leaf burning. There are several fungal diseases which can affect these delicate trees, but I hope your problem is not due to Pseudomonas, a soil-borne disease which will kill the plant eventually (you would be advised to repot the tree or plant it in the ground should the above salt-leaching treatment and shade location not help.). The hot, windy summer climate of the Rogue Valley can be difficult for delicate plants: treat them with the same care you would give your skin!
I've taken another look at your photos and I would like to recommend that once the tree is dormant in fall (loses all its leaves) you consider moving it to its permanent home. Maples have extensive fibrous root systems and pots of the size you are using quickly fill. Be certain to dig a hole that is wider than the root ball, but NOT deeper. The most common error in planting trees is to sink them too deep. You want to have the top roots at the same level in the soil as the ground around the hole. some folks even think an inch or two above the level is best to allow for any sinking. Once the tree is planted, keep it watered--not drowned, but evenly moist. Hopefully, rainfall can do this for you in winter, but if it's dry, you have to water by hand. You also want to backfill your planting hole with the surrounding dirt so you don't get a "potted plant" effect where the roots just circle round the hole instead of penetrating into the walls of the hole. We're here to help you if you have any questions!
