Skeletonized leaves on a Bloodgood japanese maple

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi everybody - I recently received a low-branched bloodgood maple from a nursery (my first one). It arrived in a 7 gallon container with fairly moist soil, but nearly 50% of the leaves (nearly all are on the upper half of the plant) are partially skeletonized (see photo). After some research online I initially thought this was sun scorched, as many of the leaves appeared dry and brittle with curled edges, but the gaping holes in the center of the leaves made me think it could be damage from pests. Most images online of sun-scorched maples don't appear to show this kind of hole damage, especially radiating from the center.

I went over the plant for an hour this morning and could find no immediate signs of insects, but this is my first maple so I'm not entirely sure what signs to be looking for. I know many people recommend pruning sun-scorched leaves to generate fresh growth, but not sure how to proceed with this. The nursery is sending a replacement tree, but I'd like to get this one back to healthy if possible. I've held off watering it so far as the soil arrived pretty saturated already. I have also waited to repot it until I get more information, it's just been in the shade with maybe 2-3 hours of direct morning light each day since it arrived.

If anyone could share their opinion or experience with issues resembling this condition (and recommend how to address it) I would greatly appreciate it.

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Brown, dry leaf tips and margins indicate some watering issues and/or sun issues. But the interior holes and skeletonization are indications of some sort of insect pest. Long gone now as the edges are showing dried, necrotic tissue, not fresh, clean signs of recent damage.

Nothing to do now except wait it out for the season. Wth normal care, it should leaf out fine in spring.

I'm glad you are receiving a replacement tree (although this one should be fine). I have a hard time understanding how any self-respecting nursery would send out a tree that looked like that!! Doesn't say much for their mail order reputation.
Z - NYC / Zone 7b thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Z - NYC / Zone 7b
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) Thanks very much for the reply - do you think I should prune the holed and burnt leaves? Or would that be too much stress to put on the tree before repotting it? I know it's September now and that's probably a little late in the season, but it gets warmer though fall every year now in NYC.

And yes, I was really surprised that they didn't QA this tree before sending it out for delivery - but to their credit, I didn't even have to ask for a replacement, they just immediately shipped another after I showed them photos. I suspect they sourced it from an affiliated grower and maybe didn't have eyes on it before it was collected for delivery.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
No need to remove the leaves. They are still serving a purpose and it is too late in the season to encourage any new leaf growth.
Z - NYC / Zone 7b thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Z - NYC / Zone 7b
Original Author
6 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) thanks again for your help!