Autumn leaf fall is completely normal and desirable for the Japanese maple, after all, the exotic tree is cultivated primarily for its beautiful autumn colors. Japanese maple in particular enjoys great popularity. However, if the tree drops its leaves at the wrong time, this is usually due to a disease or a pest infestation. But incorrect care, especially a poorly fitting supply of water, can also be the cause.

The Japanese maple always sheds its leaves in autumn

Incorrect watering / waterlogging

If the leaf tips first turn brown and then the whole leaf dries up and falls off, this is often due to insufficient water supply - the tree shows drought damage. However, the same type of damage can also occur if there is too much moisture or waterlogging, which is why it is necessary to precisely determine the cause. So don't start watering immediately if your Japanese maple appears to be too dry - do a cross-check first.

Wrong location

Furthermore, the untimely leaf fall can also be due to the wrong location. Most Japanese maples prefer a sunny location, but some do not tolerate direct sun - especially no midday sun - and react to this first with leaf tip dryness and then with leaf loss. A soil that is too firm can also lead to a reduced supply of water and nutrients, so that transplanting or loosening the soil can bring improvement.

Planter is too small

In the case of pot maples, a plant container that is too small means that the roots cannot develop and spread properly. As a result, the tree is not sufficiently supplied with water and nutrients and reacts with leaf loss. You can counteract this cause by moving it to a larger pot with fresh substrate.

Diseases / pest infestation

Furthermore, many diseases or pest infestations result in the loss of foliage: especially in the case of an infestation with spider mites, but also with scale insects or aphids, a heavy infestation results in leaf loss. In addition to these and harmless diseases, in some cases there is also a more dangerous fungal disease behind the undesirable phenomenon.

Verticillium wilt

Premature shedding of leaves is sometimes also a sign of the dangerous and dreaded Verticillium wilt, which unfortunately leads to the death of the tree in most cases. So far there is no effective fungicide against this fungal disease, the maple can sometimes only be saved by planting out and severely pruning.

tips

Incidentally, the Japanese maple often reacts to a draughty / windy location with leaf losses.

Category:

Trees