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New Japanese Maple Looking Sick/Damaged

last year

I just purchased this Japan Maple and it was planted by a nursery a week and a day ago. It looks rough to me and I was wondering if anyone more familiar with the trees might be able to give their opinion on whether this thing is healthy enough to survive or whether I need to request they replace it. The last week was rainy but the tree looked like this when it was still at the nursery, and it hasn't been exceptionally hot. It doesn't really appear to have gotten better or worse in the last week. This is the first time I've planted trees and attempted to care for them, so any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
It does look a bit stressed....either too much heat or sun. It appears to be a reticulated form of JM and they tend to have very sensitive foliage.

Just make sure the tree gets the water it requires and I'd provide some protection from afternoon sun. It should be fine.
Andrew Mueller thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Andrew Mueller
Original Author
last year
Thank you. I planted this on the east side close to the home to try to protect it from the sun and wind In the fifth picture is there anything I can put on that to protect that exposed portion of the tree limb? I just don't want fungi or anything harmful to get in that way. Thanks again for your help, this is my first time caring for newly planted trees.
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Comments (20)
Thanks for additional photos. It has some tip dieback, which is not at all unusual for Japanese maples, even in our climate. So when you are removing the reverting stems, I would remove any dead wood as well. We can't see how the tree was planted so there could very well be some root issues that are affecting healthy growth. Could be planted too deeply, it could be that the roots are circling rather than extending out into the soil, it could be that soil drainage is not as good as it needs to be. And that seems to be a very bright, sunny location. Heavily variegated JM's like this one really need to be in all day dappled shade or at least in shade during the midafternoon. Too much sun or afternoon heat can stress the tree to the point where healthy growth may be compromised.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
No. The tree will heal itself.
Andrew Mueller
Original Author
last year
That's great to hear. Thank you very much!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
pull back the soil and mulch.. until you find the root flare .. and then leave it exposed ..

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=root+flare&iax=images&ia=images

where are you.. big city name ...

water deeply.. if you havent done so already.. and then dont water again.. until you note that the soil is drying 3 to 6 inches down.. in my MI ... that might be july or so ... when the heat of summer builds enough.. that the soil is drying that deep ...

a transplanted tree needs water .. but established trees dont need a lot of water. and they need it down where the roots are.. not sprayed on the surface ..

get a hand trowel.. and dig some 3 to 6 inch holes around your tree... to learn how it all works on your soil ... in your yard.. wherever you may be...

damaged leaves started at the growers... if it was leafed out ... harmed during shipping.. and then transport to your house.. etc.. its nbd.. ignore leaf damage ...

what gal said on the MINOR bark damage ...

ken

just fyi: https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
Andrew Mueller thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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