Problem with Japanese Maple 'Butterfly'

[Becky]

We bought this Japanese Maple last year, and it seemed pretty happy at first. It lost it's leaves fairly early on in the autumn, but as it was the first year we had it I didn't think too much about it. This year it started off with some promising growth, but now it is looking very sad and I'm not sure why

Here is the new growth (sorry for the poor photos, they are the only ones I've got):

And here is how it's looking now:

As you can see, there are hardly any leaves left

It gets some direct sunshine, but not all day (the house blocks the sunshine, as you can see in the photos), and it is in a sheltered spot so high winds are not a problem. We get a good amount of rain here so I don't often water it - only if it has been dry for a while.

I know Japanese Maples can be sensitive plants so I don't want to do anything that could make it worse! Any thoughts on what could be wrong?

 

[firelily99]

Did you have a frost or cold spot this Spring? They can be sensitive to that sort of thing; if you know that might occur then you could cover the tree.

 

[Becky]

We had a really mild winter, and the good growth it had was after it had started to warm up. It does get direct sun shine for a period of time in the afternoon though, I'm wondering if I should try moving it to a more shaded area?

 

[gata montes]

Although there are quite a few reasons as to why your Acer is losing its leaves Becky - my immediate thoughts are - that its the direct sunlight that is causing the problem - as apart from being very temperamental to the slightest of temperature fluctuations - Acers are particularly susceptible to both sun and heat damage especially as the bark is incredibly heat sensitive and although Acers can take some sunlight - they do best when grown in dappled sun where they get no direct sun at all.

Another of the simpler reasons as to why the leaves may be dropping - is too much fertilizer - as Acers don't respond too well to fertilizer - its always best to use half strength fertilizer when feeding Acers.

Hopefully just moving your Acer to a more suitable site will solve the problem of the leaves dropping - but if not it may be that some of the other causes may have to be considered - which I haven't mentioned - as I feel more than sure that your Acer will respond very favorably to a more shady site

 

[Kata99]

Replant it in Eracacious compost and water with rain water, has it got a lot of dieback if so just pinch it out. Make sure its not in burning sun as Becky advised.or strong winds or windburn will occur.

I have arrowed where dieback is on this Oak, its the same as on a Maple.

 

[Becky]

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to try and find a spot we can put it where it doesn't get any direct sunlight, and fingers crossed it will recover...