Help prevent leaft burn on Japanese Maple (bloodgood)

nofx981

How can i prevent leaf burn on my beautiful jap maple (bloodgood). I am currently living in texas an the days are starting to get hotter, i have it in a pretty shady place, however, i think i may need more protection then that. Does anyone have any suggestions, what about shade cloth? I don't really know what it is/does i've just heard of it.. and where could i get it if it would help
thanks for the help
brian

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TreeBay

You can put lath or shade cloth above the growing area. Check out your nearest garden center that sells plants. You'll probably find that they are using some type of shade protection. It can be strung on a trellis or on wires from poles. There are different securing methods from grommet & loop to seamed edges designed for cables.

The stuff comes in all sorts of grades and density 20%, 50%, 80%. And it has different weights depending on its construction and durability. How you suspend it will depend on what kind you use and how high the wind gets.

You could also use some kind of lath, which is just a wooden framework of slats.

Some people drop cheesecloth over their maples in the summertime in Japan.

Regards,

Matt

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spookybonsai

Hi nofx981,

Shade cloth is a coarse weave material. Shade cloth reduces the amount of UV light that reaches the trees, which is the light that burns the leaves, just as we get sunburned also and wear sunscreen. It also reduces the temperature.

*shudders at the thought of Bonsai trees slathered in sunscreen; continues*

I'm just setting up shade cloth for my trees at the moment (when the rain stops). Can't comment about the shade cloth in Texas, but here in Australia, it has different coloured thread running along the edges which indicates how much UV protection it provides. 50% is suitable for plants, higher UV protection is protection for people also.

cheers,

spooky

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