Newly planted maple turning color

leesanders1985

9 years ago

I am located in wisconsin and we have been having highs in the mid 70s for the last few weeks and dropping to mid 50s at nights.

I recently bought a autumn blaze maple. I planted the tree 3 days ago and have noticed some leaves on the lower part of tree turning red. I have also noticed a few smaller maples in the neighborhood turning colors, some much more than mine has shown.

Is this something to worry about? Is this common in newly planted trees? What should I expect? What should I do? Thanks.

Featured Answer

Sara Malone (Zone 9b)

9 years ago

Very common in newly planted trees, especially when planted at this time of year when systems will be slowing and shutting down soon. As long as it is getting adequate water and was planted properly, it should be fine.

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Comments (11)

whaas_5a
9 years ago
Or not too much water!
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leesanders1985
Original Author
9 years ago
About 2 gallons a day I am doing
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
9 years ago
Make sure it's not planted too deeply. You've shown no photo of the base where it enters the soil, but it's the single most common newbie mistake so I'm throwing it out there :)
toronado_3800
9 years ago
2 gallons a day....

Do the ol finger test, meaning go shove your finger into the tree's rootball soil and then into the soil a few feet away. See if they are about the same or different.

Assuming they are about the same and reasonably moist I say you are doing well.

FWIW, if I am judging the size of the tree properly I would expect maybe 10 gallons every 3 days. Trees generally like deep watering less frequently comoared to lawns Then again I am in StLouis not your yard
krnuttle
9 years ago
The seasons they are a changing. This is the middle of August, and the tree know fall is coming on. We live east of Raleigh NC and our poplar has been loosing leaves for a week now, there are many yellow leaves on the trees. Our little maple is changing color, as it has every year since we moved hear. It is one of the first trees in the yard to loose all of its leaves.

You are several hundred miles north of us. Enjoy the fall color.
hairmetal4ever
9 years ago
Not unusual in a maple under stress.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
dig small holes with a hand trowel.. in the root mass planted.. and in surrounding soil ... about 3 inches deep ... AND FIND OUT IF IT NEEDS WATER ...

IN MY BEACH LIKE SAND.. IF I BASICALLY DROWNED IT WHEN I PLANTED IT.. IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME.. THAT IT WOULD NEED MORE WATER FOR AT LEAST A MONTH ... oops.. sorry ... caffeine buzz is not pretty ... lol ... used to be quite a spectacle in the office ....

whats your native soil ... does it drain???

see link for future reference on planting trees and shrubs .. especially the TIMING part ... because you are up north.. WI ... probably close enough to fall ... but it sure wouldnt have hurt ... to hold it in the pot for a couple weeks ..

your fall color show.. may or may not be spectacular ... planting stresses can affect all that.. so dont worry if its not up to expectation ...

do keep checking thru mid to late november ... we dont want it bone dry.. going into ground freeze .. nor sodden .. so check ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
pauljaymac
2 years ago
I just popped in as I have just planted 5 Autum Blaze and 3 are looking the same way. This post is 6 years old and I was just curious if the tree survived.
BillMN-z4a
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
See this link: https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

If you planted it right, there should not be a problem.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
The simple answer is that a tree or shrub planted in July in the northern hemisphere is going to experience transplant shock to some degree or other. Possibly the worst time of year to plant imaginable.

In addition to following the correct planting procedures as outlined in Bill's link, watering is key. A very well hydrated rootball before planting and regular deep soakings - not a daily dribble - will be necessary until fall rains hit or until next season, whichever is most applicable to the location.