QuestionI have an Autumn Blaze Maple that has turned red and it's only early summer. Will the leaves fall off soon or will the tree keep it's fall color well into the fall season? The tree was just bought and planted last July. What would have caused this?
AnswerI think it is due to stress on the tree more than likely lack of water. When a hardwood tree is water stressed it will start to change the color of the leaves and may result in premature dropping of the leaves. I would water the tree with 1 inch of water per week-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 and will help the roots grow deeper. If you have not done so also mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch NOT piled up on the trunk. Mulch about 3 feet around the tree. This will help hold the moisture. In any case turning will not kill the tree if it gets water. If you water it should hold the leaves until Fall.
