How about a little history? How long have you had it, how has it been cared for, weather conditions and where are you located?

tj

Hi

More info about my variegated maple. I live in Northern Ontario Canada. We are zone 3. We have had the tree 3 years , this is year4. It has been strong and healthy. It is late spring here and the leaves have just come out, that is why they are small thanks for your help

mary

Was there a heavy frost/freeze after the leaves emerged?

Hi

It was -10 C the end of April, the leaves were not out at that time. The coldest it has been is -3C on May3rd. It is spring here and the leaves have just emerged in the last two weeks. We have a Japanese maple as well as a crimson maple in our yard and they are both doing fine. Appreciate your help

mary

Sure will take better picture right away.

M

the spiky leaves might be a reversion to the root stock ... lets see if anyone agrees ...

if so.. all of it must be removed ... got to get dinner going.. i try to look out at mine but its raining and pretty gloomy out there ...

ken

Tree is Acer platanoides 'Drummondii'. This is often unstable with green reversions appearing among its branches - and which are not rootstock sprouts. However in these shots it looks like all the leaves shown are still variegated.

The thin lawn indicates a tough site. At the very least the tree should be mulched to improve soil conditions.

Horticultural techniques for successful plant establishment

Microsoft Word - Planting fact sheet.doc (wsu.edu)

Thank you. I will go buy mulch as soon as I can. We are still in lock down here in Ontario so will need to do curb side pickup! Currently I have landscape fabric with lava rock. Should I reinstall this after I put down the mulch?

Get rid of the landscape fabric.

tj

Get rid of the lava rock! That is often a high pH contributor to undiagnosed plant ailments - especially around ericaceous species. I suspect even a Norway Maple doesn't need that aspect of cultural care.

Use natural biodegradable materials as mulch, that will conserve moisture, reduce weed pressure, and break down over time to contrbute organic matter to your soils.

Thanks everyone. Landscape fabric and lava rock are gone for good! Will be getting mulch to put around tree. I found this guy when I was digging up the soil, he was about 3 inches buried. Google says he is a roach- never known roaches to be in the ground..... hope he is not a contributor to my problem!

thanks for all the advice , I really appreciate it.

Mary

I agree with Tj, get rid of the landscape paper. It can cause all types of issues and if you do want or have to remove the tree, you’ll have to a nightmare getting it out I am not a big expert, but it looks like some type of beetle. Post a picture on the insect forum and you’ll get an ID.

debra

Resembles Japanese beetle which is a major garden nuisance insect. However there are many thousands of beetle species.

Beetle for sure ... scarab type, possibly Xyloryctes jamaicensis or similar (female don't have horns on their noses).

Thanks everyone for the bug ID! Sounds like it’s not hurting my tree, but it was still big and ugly and gave me a big surprise!

M

I'd be patient. My white oak has new leaves emerging that look "wilted" at first, but as they enlarge eventually look fine. Your leaves are big, but still hopefully improve w/time,

UPDATE on my Maple

My variegated maple( Acer platanoides 'Drummondii !) is doing SOO well ! Here are a few pictures from this morning! Thanks again for all your advice. I am so happy! And its only been 1 week! Amazing.

Thanks for the update. It looks very nice.