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Fall color of a Maple tree #888609

Asked October 23, 2024, 4:08 PM EDT

I have two maple trees. I forgot which type they are, but thought the leaves would turn red in the fall. Instead they are yellow with brown edges and turn completely brown before they fall off. I'm hoping there is something I can due to the soil to help. I have another species of maple in the area whose leaves turn red.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Not all maples turn red.  My sugar maple and silver maple both have bright gold/yellow leaves.  Looking at the photos you attached, I would guess your tree is lacking moisture and is severely stressed.  If you still have water available, I would suggest you water it.  Give it moisture to take it through the winter.  Also, I am wondering when you wrapped those trunks. I hope it was just recently and the wrapping was not on all summer.  Trunks should be protected starting in October and then the wrapping taken off in April.  Leaving wrapping on during the hot summer months can cause the bark underneath to rot because of the build up of moisture and heat.
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied October 23, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT
Barbara, 
Thanks for the quick response. I have a very mature silver maple that turns yellow. 

The nursery we purchased the trees from indicated these would turn red. Sounds like they weren't very truthful. 

Yes, I just wrapped the trees last week and unwrap early in the spring.  It's usually cooler by now, so I got caught with the 80 degree weather.  Is wrapping helpful now that they are several years old?

I've been watering the last couple weeks. Sounds like I should continue for a while. We purchased a third different maple tree when we got the two in question. Its doing well, turning red and gets the same water. 

I'll redouble my watering throughout the summer for the two struggling.   Do you have any suggestions for when or what to fertilize with?

Thanks,
Larry

On Oct 23, 2024 at 6:29 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied October 23, 2024, 7:55 PM EDT
I was glad to hear you proceeded with the wrapping at the correct time.  You need to continue to protect these thin skinned trees until the bark become rough and thick.  This may take several years but it is worth it.  The provider of your tree probably was giving you the correct information.  However, we cannot always control nature.  My neighbor has an Autumn Blaze maple that didn't start tuning red until it had been in the ground for at least 5 years, and then it was just a few leaves.  Not, after 15 years it reliably turns red each fall.  But the brown leaves on that one tree indicates something lacking.  Fertilizer will not help.  Hopefully it was not planted too deep.  The base of your tree should flair out and not be straight up and down like a telephone pole.  If it has been getting the same amount of water and sunlight as the others, something is wrong.  It may be worth having a certified arborist take a look.  You can find one at this link  Click on Find An Arborist.  When prompted put in your zip code and a list of certified arborists in your area will appear.  https://www.treesaregood.org/
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied October 23, 2024, 8:10 PM EDT

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