Diagnose: Japanese Maple Leaf Scorch

1. First compare the exposed edge with the sheltered canopy
2. Scorch that is worst beside afternoon sun, a pale wall, pavement, or dry wind usually starts with exposure and a root zone that cannot keep pace. Lift the mulch and check soil several inches down at two or three points before adding water. If only one branch wilts, new leaves are unusually small, or twigs are dying, stop treating the problem as routine scorch. Those signs call for a root, trunk, or vascular-disease assessment.

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