Here in Virginia, I've got the same thing! We have had our JM for two years. Last summer it did the same thing. It got so bad that many of the leaves fell off. Since we had a cooler than normal spring, it's only now starting to shrivel the leaves. What am I doing wrong?

TheresaS,
I would hazzard a guess to say that your tree is simply going thru a little shock with being transplanted in the heat of the summer as well as being moved around to different light conditions. Don't worry, as long as you're watering it, it may show some stress, but will be fine. You may have to sacrifice some beauty this year as your tree gets established, but next spring it will be much happier. I would leave it in the shadier spot you have for the rest of this year.
Kinseeker,
It's a little hard to say 'what you're doing wrong' without all the proper info. What kind of cultivar, how much light does it get, etc. Sounds like it's not getting enough water, too much sun, or both.

I really wanted to soak the rootball in superthrive when I got the tree, but I couldn't find any in my area.

Do you think I might be underwatering? I did move my tree back into the more sheltered area of the front porch and the burn hasn't gotten worse, but it's only been a couple of days. We are going through a drought right now in Chicago. If the top of the soil is moist, I haven't been watering. And when I do water, I do a deep watering. The container is also well-drained so far as I can tell. It's a container in a more ornate planter, with the plastic container for the tree placed up on some thick styrofoam so water will drain out into the larger planter. I used some leftover foam used for insulating the garage door. Nice and thick! The water does collect at the bottom of the big planter.

I'm not sure if I'll try to do bonsai with this tree or not. I had planned on putting it on my back deck, but since we haven't lived in the house very long and since I work days, I'm not extremely familiar with the sun patterns and what time the shade from our neighbor's very large trees hits the deck. Plus you're right--with the shock from shipping and repotting, this isn't the year to put Mr. Maple in his permanent home even if conditions are right.

I have ordered a moisture meter to help me along with this tree. Most of the leaves are shriveled now, a few at the top just have brown tips on its leaves.

The cultivar, straight from the description is: Red Japanese Maple Tree (Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum) 3 feet Tall (from top of soil line) and 5 years old--not a seedling. Sunlight conditions are full sun in the morning, coming from the east of course, then the porch begins to shade it by noon I believe. I will watch closely today and time it. At 6 this morning I gave it a deep watering as the next 2 days will be brutal in Chicago. 100 temps. I hope this will help the tree and not harm it. I will also get pictures and post links. I have before pictures from the seller (and it arrived in and stayed in that state for about 2 weeks--I thought it was more but found my invoice and confirmed date of purchase).

I don't want my silly mistakes to ruin this once beautiful tree!

The moisture meter along with some sage advice to change the soil (went with the suggestion of 2 parts cactus to 1 part sand to 1 part perlite) seems to have done the trick! Not all of the leaves have dropped, but the older ones are still shriveled and now the rest of the tree is releafing. What gorgeous crimson leaves! This forum has been so much help to me and my JM, and I'm sure it will continue to be. Thanks to everyone who helped save my tree :)

I have just planted a Bloodgood JM one month ago, the leaves started to curl and I was told it was wind burn, when should I see new growth? How can I tell if Im over/ under watering?