Norwegian Sunset Maple leaves not opening

Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Diseases

Norwegian Sunset Maple leaves not opening

Question

Sunset Maple We have a 3 1/2 yr old Sunset Maple whose leaves didn't open this year. Some of the leaves on the top of the tree barely opened (and are smaller than normal), and a majority of the branches didn't even get past the bud stage. We have planted raspberries and strawberries underneath the tree; could those be affecting the root system?

Answer
Laura:
I would doubt that the plant roots underneath would cause this. If you had a night or two when temperatures dropped, then this may delay leaves or even cause some injury to the tender portions. Use your fingernail and scratch a few of the smaller twigs to look for a green color beneath. Also, take a look at the basal area of the tree, near the soil line. Look for any areas where the bark may have been injured or loose.

Be sure not to pile dirt or mulch too high up around the tree from the surrounding yard level . This may "smother" the roots over time. Just 2-3 inches can be significant and cause a decline. More than 95% of roots absorption is in the upper 6" of soil.

Regards
Steve

Plant Diseases: Japanese Maple; Maple tree Infestation; Galls on maple leaves; maple tree; red sunset maple tree; Sunset Maple; sunset maple lack of leaves; THE MAPLE TREE; Maple Tree Decease; Sunset maple not turning red

Garden Articles

Japanese Maple trees

black spots on maple tree

black spots on sunset maple

maple tree leaf disease

Dying Maple Tree

Sunset maple disease

maple tree without many leaves

Plants

Maple tree losing its leaves

Glory Red Maple Tree

Sunset Maple Tree Problem

Sunset Maple Tree Bark

Maple Tree Issue

Japanese Maple Tree

Maple tree blight