japanese maple problems

mike adkins

i am lookng for advice on how to save this 50 year old japanese maple. it lives on the coast in north san diego california. its been fertilized & watered but never seems to flourish. here is a representative leaf. %30 of the branches even have leaves. it wont die but wont flourish. any ideas ??

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Sean Freeman

Hi Mike, well you are asking what seems like a simple question but as with all things plant appearances can be deceptive!!!

We really need more pics of the tree and sctions of the canopy, roots and soil, position in the garden, soil conditions..dry, wet, damp...irrigation regime, mulch yes/no, how much sun and hat times of day..morning afternoon?

Japanese maples have hundreds maybe even a thousand cultivars!!! Whilst some general rules do apply to them all, certain cultivars are more tolerant of sun scorch than others, some require dappled shade, some full shade....I don't know from the pic what cultivar you have.

Growing JMs is an act of love, my dad has about 15 different cultivars in his garden in UK and I grew up with his various obsessions in the garden JMs being a big one.

We may be able to offer useful advice to you if you give us more info...but there are numerous excellent garedn web sites you should also post in that specifically deal with Maples-Acers, and JMs.

mdvaden

Too bad you didn't know I was in Oceanside several weeks ago - with time on my hands - and that I didn't know about your tree

If your soil was like parts of Seaside, Oregon where it's like 90% sand; maybe a little fertilizer.

If your soil is more soil-like, the fertilizer may not be needed at all, and could be part of the issue.

Somebody in your area must supply mycorrhizal fungi. Call nurseries, call garden centers, call garden clubs. But there must be a supplier - too much agriculture nearby and landscape plants.

Here's my long version of tree feeding...

Tree Root Feeding, Deep Root Feeding. Mycorrizae, Mycorrhizal Fungi. Fertilizer.

Is it in a lawn, or in a shrub bed? Mulch? Mulch is good - even in temperate areas.

Steve Tipton

If this tree has thrived for 50 years and has declined recently, have any changes occured to it's environment?
eg; has another tree or building been removed which would increase it's exposure to sun or salt laden air?
Any changes to soil level, or building site uphill from it causing leaching of lime or cement into water table? any chance of underground gas leak below the tree?
Just a few things to check for.

mike adkins

thanks. guess ill be getting more pics & info. i'll get back to you

pcarborist

Acer palmatum doesn't like heat, drought or constant wind. They also don't tolerate salty or alkaline soils. Does this sound like your site?