skip to main content

Ask The Yard Doctor Maples Japanese Gardens

Skeletonized leaves on a Bloodgood japanese maple

Z - NYC / Zone 7b

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi everybody - I recently received a low-branched bloodgood maple from a nursery (my first one). It arrived in a 7 gallon container with fairly moist soil, but nearly 50% of the leaves (nearly all are on the upper half of the plant) are partially skeletonized (see photo). After some research online I initially thought this was sun scorched, as many of the leaves appeared dry and brittle with curled edges, but the gaping holes in the center of the leaves made me think it could be damage from pests. Most images online of sun-scorched maples don't appear to show this kind of hole damage, especially radiating from the center.

I went over the plant for an hour this morning and could find no immediate signs of insects, but this is my first maple so I'm not entirely sure what signs to be looking for. I know many people recommend pruning sun-scorched leaves to generate fresh growth, but not sure how to proceed with this. The nursery is sending a replacement tree, but I'd like to get this one back to healthy if possible. I've held off watering it so far as the soil arrived pretty saturated already. I have also waited to repot it until I get more information, it's just been in the shade with maybe 2-3 hours of direct morning light each day since it arrived.

If anyone could share their opinion or experience with issues resembling this condition (and recommend how to address it) I would greatly appreciate it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
Brown, dry leaf tips and margins indicate some watering issues and/or sun issues. But the interior holes and skeletonization are indications of some sort of insect pest. Long gone now as the edges are showing dried, necrotic tissue, not fresh, clean signs of recent damage.

Nothing to do now except wait it out for the season. Wth normal care, it should leaf out fine in spring.

I'm glad you are receiving a replacement tree (although this one should be fine). I have a hard time understanding how any self-respecting nursery would send out a tree that looked like that!! Doesn't say much for their mail order reputation.
Z - NYC / Zone 7b thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Z - NYC / Zone 7b
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) Thanks very much for the reply - do you think I should prune the holed and burnt leaves? Or would that be too much stress to put on the tree before repotting it? I know it's September now and that's probably a little late in the season, but it gets warmer though fall every year now in NYC.

And yes, I was really surprised that they didn't QA this tree before sending it out for delivery - but to their credit, I didn't even have to ask for a replacement, they just immediately shipped another after I showed them photos. I suspect they sourced it from an affiliated grower and maybe didn't have eyes on it before it was collected for delivery.
Related Discussions
Japanese maple bloodgood
Q
Comments (1)
Bloodgood is a *beautiful* tree! The leaves are deep red and hold their color all season when sited in full sun. The fall color turns brilliant red.
...See More
Dwarf Bloodgood Japanese Maple - First Tree/First Post :)
Q
Comments (10)
Given your location, it seems the maple should do quite well but the plumeria will need to be brought in for winter :-) There is often a lot of misinformation about the correct naming of Japanese maples. All named forms - cultivars - of Japanese maples are propagated asexually, either by grafting (most common) or by cuttings (less common). All seed grown Japanese maples are just referred to as generic Acer palmatum - no cultivar name - regardless of what the parent plant was. Cultivar names are registered and all reputable growers will propagate correctly with the approved and correctly labeled stock plants. But there are many less reputable sources that will produce maples under other, non-registered names or even by seed. 'Bloodgood is perhaps the most widely propagated Japanese maple on the market and you will often find seed-grown so-called Bloodgoods on the market. They may very well look like Bloodgood but they are not. You may find "dwarf" Bloodgoods included in this somewhat suspicious grouping. Bloodgood is a pretty good sized JM. The typical mature size is often quoted as 20'x20' but Vertrees (THE JM authority) reports a mature height of upto 30 feet. As I stated previously, there is NO dwarf Bloodgood but a good number of smaller growing Bloodgood look-alikes, several of which were sports or brooms from a known Bloodgood. But they are known by different names if properly registered cultivars. Enjoy whatever tree you actually have :-)) I've yet to meet any Japanese maple I didn't like!
...See More
Emperor 1 or bloodgood Japanese maple?
Q
Comments (6)
Fireglow at maturity is about half the size of a Bloodgood or Emp1, both of which have the potential to be pretty good sized trees. In all my years of garden design and consultation, I must have recommended Fireglow 5-10 times for every Bloodgood, especially for those with smaller garden spaces, and I have yet to see one that has exceeded around 15'. And the coloring on Fireglow is really exceptional!! When my clients want a smaller, upright red leaved JM, Fireglow is my go-to choice.
...See More
Best hosta variety alongside a Clump Japanese Bloodgood maple
Q
Comments (2)
Any blue leaved variety of sufficient size.
...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
No need to remove the leaves. They are still serving a purpose and it is too late in the season to encourage any new leaf growth.
Z - NYC / Zone 7b thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Z - NYC / Zone 7b
Original Author
3 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) thanks again for your help!

Related Stories

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Japanese Maples for Shade

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants Bursting With Beautiful Fall Foliage

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Luscious berries, rich crimson leaves and stellar stalks show that nary a flower is needed for enthralling autumn gardens

TREES American Basswood Provides Garden Shade and Forage for Pollinators

By Pollination Press LLC

Use Tilia americana as a shade tree or along the edge of a woodland for its large leaves and showy flowers

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Deer-Resistant Elegant Evergreen Shrubs to Plant This Fall

Who knew that such beautiful shrubs could be deer-resistant?

ARBOR DAY 10 Trees Landscape Designers Love

By Annie Thornton

In honor of Arbor Day, consider adding a beautiful and beneficial tree species favored by designers around the country

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Great Trees for Summer Shade and Fall Color

By Tiffany Carboni

These landscape-pro faves straddle the seasons beautifully. Could one enhance your own yard?

Sponsored

More Discussions

Are my newly viburnums dead or dying?

3

Can I recover the structure of this tree?

0

Cement or pavers- which is better?

9