Autumn leaf fall is completely normal and desirable for the Japanese maple, after all, the exotic tree is cultivated primarily because of its wonderful autumn colors. Japanese Japanese maple is particularly popular. However, if the tree drops its leaves at the wrong time, there is usually a disease or pest infestation behind it. But incorrect care, especially a poorly tailored supply of water, can also be the cause.
Why is my Japanese maple losing its leaves?
A Japanese maple loses leaves due to incorrect watering, unfavorable location, too small a planting container, diseases or pest infestation. To combat this, check water supply, site conditions, pot size, and look for signs of pests or disease.
Incorrect watering / waterlogging
If the leaf tips initially turn brown and then the entire leaf dries out and falls off, this is often due to an insufficient water supply - the tree shows drought damage. However, the same damage pattern can also occur when there is too much moisture or waterlogging, which is why it is necessary to clarify the exact cause. So don't rush into watering if your Japanese maple seems to be too dry - do a counter-test first.
Wrong location
Furthermore, the untimely leaf fall can also be due to the wrong location. Most Japanese maples prefer a sunny location, but some cannot tolerate direct sun - especially midday sun - and react to this initially with leaf tip drought and then with leaf loss. A soil that is too firm can also lead to a reduced supply of water and nutrients, so transplanting or loosening the soil can bring improvement.
Planting container is too small
For potted maples, a planting container that is too small means that the roots cannot develop and spread properly. As a result, the tree is not adequately supplied with water and nutrients and reacts to this by losing leaves. You can counteract this cause by moving it to a larger pot with fresh substrate.
Diseases / pest infestations
Furthermore, many diseases orA pest infestation results in a loss of foliage: Particularly in the case of an infestation with spider mites, but also with scale insects or aphids, a severe infestation leads to loss of leaves. In addition to these and more harmless diseases, in some cases there is also a more dangerous fungal disease behind the undesirable phenomenon.
Verticillium wilt
Early shedding of leaves is sometimes also a sign of the dangerous and dreaded Verticillium wilt, which unfortunately leads to the death of the tree in most cases. There is currently no effective fungicide against this fungal disease; the maple can sometimes only be saved by planting it out and pruning it vigorously.
Tip
By the way, the Japanese maple often reacts to a drafty/windy location by losing leaves.