The Japanese maple as a garden or container plant is as beautiful as it is demanding. We explain what the leaves of this deciduous tree look like, what color they are and how damage to the plant can show up in the appearance of the foliage,
What do the leaves of a Japanese maple look like and why can they turn brown?
The leaves of the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) are fan-shaped, bright green in summer and changing to a color palette of yellow, orange and red in autumn. Leaf tips can turn brown for various reasons, such as waterlogging, drought, heat or disease.
What do the leaves of the Japanese maple look like?
The Japanese maple is extremely decorative and impresses with itsfan-shaped leaves. The most popular species in this country is the classic Japanese maple with the Latin name Acer palmatum - the shape of the leaves undoubtedly gave it its name.
What color are the leaves of a Japanese maple?
The color of the foliage on the Japanese maple depends entirelydepending on the season: While the leaves are bright green immediately after they sprout and in summer, the deciduous tree impresses with one in autumn wonderful, magical splendor of color. The palette then extends from yellow to orange to red - greetings from the Indian Summer. The hardy Japanese maple is often cultivated mainly because of its autumnal color play. Trees planted in the garden are no different from potted plants.
When does the Japanese maple lose its leaves?
After it hascolored so beautifully in autumn, the Japanese maple gradually loses its leaves. In this respect it is no different from other deciduous trees.
Why are the tips of the leaves sometimes brown?
If the leaves turn brown at the tips, it can havedifferent reasons:
- too much water: waterlogging must be avoided at all costs
- too little water: especially in the hot summer months, dryness first appears on the leaves
- too much heat: the leaves of the Japanese maple are very sensitive to too much sunlight - a partially shaded location is recommended
- Disease or pest infestation
What diseases can affect the leaves?
Fungal diseasessuch as the dreaded verticillium wilt, for which there is no fungicide, or ainfestation with aphids can affect the condition of the Leaves of the Japanese maple have an impact.
Tip
Quick action on wilted leaves
If a Japanese maple has limp leaves before autumn and dead branches, you should check as soon as possible whether it is affected by wilt disease. Then the roots must be rigorously cut back and the tree transplanted to a location in fresh, loosened soil. Make sure you dispose of the clippings in the household waste and disinfect the secateurs.
