Question
Hello Jim!!!

My husband and I just landacaped our chicagoland yard and as a tribute to my father who loved Japanese Maple Trees, we planted one by our front door. It's been there for a little over a month and it seems as though the leaves are "burnt." I don't believe that this is a watering problem... I've had the sprinklers on it every other day. We have it planted on the west side of our home... close to the building. Do you haany suggestions on why this would be happening? Your thoughts woulde much appreciated.
Thanks!
Jenny

Answer
You asked "Do you have any suggestions on why this would be happening?"

I am sorry I did  not make myself clear.
1. Planted wrong time of the year.
2. Maybe planted too deep.
3. Not enough water
4. May need to be mulched around the tree to  hold moisture.

Well the first concern is the time of the year that the tree was planted. The summer is the worst time due to the weather -temperature and dryness).

Here is the proper method and time to plant trees:


Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the time when new foliage is partly unfurled. In the fall, they may be planted once the leaves start to turn color up until the ground freezes.

Although all trees and shrubs can be moved in either spring or fall, there are some which establish themselves better when moved in the spring, such as the softwoods (willows, poplars, birches).

The new hole should be twice the size of the rootball and as deep and filled with top soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. The tree should be planted so the swelling of the top of the rootball is just at or above the ground level. All burlap and wire should be removed before the tree is planted.

I would check and see to make sure the tree is not planted too deep--check near the trunk and there should be a slight swelling as the trunk goes to the rootball. If the soil is above this I would remove some of the soil.

Water with 1 inch of water every day unless it rains good and regular then drop back to once a week. Place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop.