QuestionMy son gave me two Crimson Queens for Mother's Day this year. They were planted right away. The soil is all clay about a foot down but above that potting soil, top soil, soil conditioner and manure were mixed prior to planting. The root balls were in good shape and did not fall apart when transplanted slightly above ground level. They are mulched well and look healthy. They are watered once a week with 2 gallons of rain water. My question stems from the fact that they have turned green (Lime colored) instead of staying the crimson red color. Why? I live in N. C.
AnswerRed maple leaves turning green can be normal for young trees. It usually means there is too much nitrogen. I would water once a week with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. This is called deep watering . Water if it does not rain.
It could also be that the tree is not in full sunlight (shaded part of the day). Sounds like you have done everything right I would just wait and see and not fertilize the tree for a couple of years.
