Question
Hi Gary,
I live in Northern California and have a red Japanese Maple in the backyard that is not doing well. Its leaves are a dull red-brown and are curling and drying at the edges and it is, in general, not flourishing. I'd be worried about not enough water (especially since we've been getting warm, dry weather typical of early fall in this area), but its right next to our hose spigot and the flowers at the base of the tree are doing just great. It is also near a hot tub. Could the chemicals be interfering? Would they affect the tree and not the flowers? Could we be overwatering? We recently moved into this house, so I can't tell you how old the tree is. It does get fairly direct sunlight for a good portion of the early part of the day and is watered via spinkler for about 5 minutes in the early morning every day. (During the recent heat wave we increased to 10 min and have since decreased again). Any insight you might have would be really appreciated -- I'd really like to save this beautiful tree!

Thanks,
Joelle

Answer
Joelle,

From the info you have provided I am going to say it has to do with water.  Sprinkling for 5 minutes each morning is not enough.  Try watering this tree once per week for 45 minutes with your sprinkler.  This will provide a deeper penetration of the soil and reach the root system better.

Now this may not make much of a difference this year.  The key will be next year when you keep this water regime up and look at the leaves next fall.

This is not a quick fix.

Good luck

Gary