A. Palmatum with brown leaf edges

dagruber

I acquired a nursery red maple in a 5 gal. pot a few weeks ago. Great trunk and nice low branches, but the poor tree was so pot-bound it was a struggle to get it free to place in a training pot. The crown of the trunk was about 2-3" below the mass of circular roots. I pruned both the root ball and the branches back and placed it in a wide 5" deep training pot.

It seems to be doing OK, but many (not all) of the leaves are browning and curling at the edge. The tree is outside in mostly shade (morning sun for about 2 hrs) and the soil is fast draining. I don't think wind is a problem, but I'm worried about the leaves. I cut a few of the bad ones back and some new ones have emerged.

A few questions...

Would slower draining soil allow the roots more time to absorb water to keep the leaves moist?

Should the dried leaves be left on the tree or cut off?

Is 2 hrs of morning sun too much? (temps are 70ºF/50º).

Thanks for any help.

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BunjinEnt

No. Deciuous trees should not have roots worked when the leaves are out. Best time is just as buds are starting to swell in spring. If you did work on roots, then the tree will drop some because no (or not enough) roots to support. If you re-potted with some organics in your soil, then likely there is enough moisture retaining capability.

Leave leaves on tree. When the tree is done with them it will discard them naturally.

Yes maybe, but if it's truely the first two hours of the morning, probably not.
its an understory tree so it should be able to take it. Just let it run its course. If it is pushing new growth, then it is ok. Stop messing with it. Just check the soil every day in the summer so it does not completely dry out.

After re-reading your post, you should also do most of the branch pruning before the sap strats to flow. It should be ok. Read Read Read about your tree while it recovers this season.

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clrosner

Sounds like your tree will be OK. I'm also in Southern NJ!

I have made it a point that when I obtain a new tree, I never do any work on it for a year... That way it will get used to the new environment that you provide. From a Nursery to your home is usually quite a change for the tree.

BunjinEnt has given you good advice, so leave your tree alone, and let it tell you when it is ready for styling etc.

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dagruber

Point well taken. This is my first true deciduous tree. Patience is the hardest thing to learn about this hobby. In most endeavors, the more you work on something the better it gets.

For now, it'll just get care and I'll let nature (literally) takes it's course.

Thanks again.