They do vary. Try less irrigation, see if that helps. If the compost is alkaline that might have an effect as well.

If the leaves only turn brown and die, it's very likely the tree needs more water during the growing season.

I have had the same problem. I have been told that vine maples need stress to color well. In a well tended garden they get lots of water and fertilizer and are not under stress like in the wild. Mine just turn brown as well. I have had them for about 10 years and the fall color has always been lousy. I am going to remove them and put in Japanese maples with beautiful fall color this winter.

I agree with Ron and flowerfan..... hold back on the water in summer.

Well, I have two, and neither get much water. And neither ever color up worth a darn. So I am thinking not enough water. Also am thinking that there is so much seedling variation, who knows if they will ever turn the orange I want. Should have bought in the fall, instead of spring, I am thinking...

I have a lot of vine Maples on ten acres in a lot of different situations. Those in the sun under Doug Fir Trees with no irrigation color up the best. Once established, Vine Maples need no extra water at all to color up well in the fall. Those in partial shade with heavy soil don't look good at all, but they sure do grow well in the summer.

Thanks to all for your comments.

Viola, I am also thinking I should have bought in the fall. BoTann, what perplexes (and irritates!) me is every day at work I walk by some vine maples in very dense shade that have spectacular color. Ron, I can't imagine my compost is alkaline. I use Cedar Grove and homemade and the rhodies next to the vine maples are fine, but I'll think about having the soil tested.

Since the consensus seems to be less water and I really can't imagine it needs more water, I guess I'll give it another year and water less. It should be pretty well established by now and be able to handle less water. Maybe if I shake my shovel at it and mutter a few threats that will stress it out, too. Can't hurt, right?

Some vine maples just have drab fall color. Get them in the fall so you can select for color. Seed grown maples vary in autumn hues. I have two sugar maples. Ones gorgeous, the other is a dud.

I have a vine maple cultivar 'Monroe' mostly in shade, clay but not the super heavy kind, only gets water a couple of times in the summer when rhodies and sword ferns begin to wilt, at least 6 years old....best it ever does is some pale yellow before the brown. I notice no reds in the native vine maples on my 50 acres and I rarely (if ever...tempted to say never) see any wild reds along the roads here in Clark County just north of Portland. Is it the soil? Is it the climate? Do 'Monroes" ever color up....I've never seen one with any significant color. jwww

I've been told that color varies significantly from plant to plant. Even choosing by variety is not a guarantee of good color. The only sure thing (according to my gardening sages) is to select your tree in the fall, when you can pick the color you want. I think that is also why some nurseries are discounting their vine maples up to 75% right now (I went and looked, and none of the discounted trees had great color), and others are charging $85 and up per tree (yep, gorgeous). Weather conditions (warm days, cool nights in fall) and how the plant is tended have a role to play, too. But if the tree doesn't have the genetics for spectacular color, then you'll never get it.