We inherited a Japanese Maple (cutleaf?) when we bought this house. It has sprouted leaves and they were a brilliant red but now, some are turning yellowish. Is this normal or are we in trouble? We've never had one, so don't know what to expect. Two things you should know...I did a little pruning about a month ago (just the long branches that almost touched the ground and the dead wood). My bad. And last weekend, we pulled all the overgrown shrubs behind it out. We were careful and didn't seem to be disturbing the tree's roots (the shrubs had very shallow root systems for the most part with one long root on each.)

What's up?

Update: talked to a nursery guy who suggested frost...and now the crispy, brown leaves are dropping. We may have a ****** tree soon!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Belstone,

Belstone, there are many things that might cause yellowing of leaves and one is the tree should be given protetion from wind.
Japanese Maples do not like to dry out and you say you removed some shrubbery in its circle.
The shrub may have been taking some of the moisture the tree could have used. If the tree is in open area where wind (especially dry winter wind) can cause such drying then think to give it some protection.
If the yellowing doesn't amount to much, if its say, only a few leaves, I wouldn't be concerned.
Give it good sunlight and protect from drying out. Mulching around its base can help.
A 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mateial will help the moisture level.

Anyone mulching around any trees should keep the mulch at least 3" away from the tree trunk. Having it against the tree trunk invites pests & diseases! Putting a thick layer of mulch under any tree can smother the roots and end up killing the tree!

Belstone, try doing a google search on your variety to see what that says about leaf color.

I found this for you. You may want to do a google search or contact your local Ag Department. There seems to be a lot of schools of thought on why your Japanese Maple might turn yellow. Good luck.

quote:

Foliage Turns Yellow Or Brown & Collapses
Verticillium Wilt - A wilt disease caused by a soil-dwelling fungus sometimes attacks maples. Infected leaves appear pale and wilted, and may fall prematurely. One or more branches wilt suddenly and die, often on only one side of the tree. Infected trees may die slowly (over a period of several years) or suddenly (within a few weeks). Sapwood is discolored. Heavy feeding with a high-nitrogen fertilizer sometimes enables trees to put a new ring of sapwood outside the infected area and the trees may then recover. Prune out dead branches. Remove badly infected trees, together with as many roots as possible. Do not replant with wilt-susceptible shrubs or trees in the same location.

Thanks everyone. Some of this sounds scary, though. After receiving some replies on the Dec board, we decided to check out neighbor's trees...the one we've found so far looks exactly the same as mine so unless we've encountered a local problem, maybe this is what it's supposed to do? Hope so.

Thanks again. Aren't these boards great?

Some Japanese Maples leaves start out red and then turn yellowish and finally green while others start out red and stay red and others start out green and turn red during the year.
Like many other plants most Japanese Maples may need some protection in the first few years of life but a well established tree should be able to handle most of what Ma Nature throws its way.
You need to find out which Japanese Maple you have. In the USA you state universities Cooperative Extension Service local office, or in Canada your local AgCanada office, might be able to help.