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PAL Questions: 1 - Garden Tools: 2 - Recommended Websites: 2

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Keywords: Leaves, Acer palmatum

PAL Question:

I planted an Acer palmatum a year ago spring. It has healthy leaves in spring then they all curl and turn brown in summer: not a pretty sight. I feed and water regularly. It gets late-morning and afternoon sun. It doesn't get very hot, maybe in the 70s to low 80s on average in summer with an evening fog rolling in from San Francisco Bay. Any ideas?

View Answer:

Acer palmatum sometimes displays this foliage problem. According to Japanese Maples by J.D. Vertrees and Peter Gregory (Timber Press, 2009), root weevils can cause this type of damage. Also, Verticillium wilt as well as other fungi can cause leaves (and often branches) to die. Leaf scorch seems to me the most likely cause, and your fertilizer may be contributing to it: Vertrees says excess nitrogen in the soil can lead to leaf scorch, as can watering so that the leaves become wet in the hottest part of the day.

I recommend that you contact the Alameda County Master Gardeners for more information and a more specific diagnosis.

Season All Season
Date 2010-07-28
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Keywords: Mulching, Leaves

Garden Tool:

Treat fallen leaves like the resource they are. Under the dripline of a tree, let leaves lay where they fall so nature can recycle the nutrients back to the tree. Yes, the leaves may kill the grass, but tree roots don't like the competition from grass anyway. Outside of the dripline shred leaves with your lawnmower. Mixed in with grass clippings the shredded leaves will break down fairly fast and feed the lawn.

Still feel compelled to rake those leaves? Fill a few black plastic garbage bags, add a shovel-full of soil and then stash the bags for about 9 months. You'll be rewarded with what the British refer to as "leaf mould." Use leaf mould as mulch or as an earth-friendly substitute for peat moss. Stash the bags under the deck or porch or even under the shrubbery. Just mark your calendar for next July so you don't forget. If individual leaves can still be recognized wait a few more months or use it as a mulch around perennials. For a good article on leaf mould go to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council

Season: Fall
Date: 2007-04-03
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Keywords: Mulching, Leaves, Lawns--Care and maintenance

Garden Tool:

Research from Purdue and Cornell University shows that autumn leaves can simply be left where they fall, shredded by a mower and allowed to mulch the lawn. Fertilize as you normally would. The shredding is essential, so don't skip that step. If the leaf mulch is too thick, move some into your flowerbeds or compost bin. Read the research report.

Season: Fall
Date: 2007-04-03
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April 19 2012 16:02:30