Key sign your Japanese Maple could be about to die and what to do urgently

Japanese maples, with their vibrant crimson leaves, are a beloved feature in gardens nationwide, serving as a stunning focal point in any backyard.

However, without proper care, these radiant leaves can quickly deteriorate and turn an unsightly brown, becoming a bit of a blot on the landscape.

As we enjoy another week of sunshine, there's one particular warning sign garden enthusiasts should be on the lookout for, as it could signal the demise of your cherished acer.

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Japanese Maples flourish in temperate climates, so when subjected to the sun's intense UV rays, their leaves can rapidly become scorched.

Once the sun has had its way, the leaves will start to dry out, curl up, and shrivel before they begin to die back, leaving the branches noticeably bare, reports the Express.

But fear not, green-thumbed folk across the nation, there is one early indication that your leaves are getting scorched, giving you the opportunity to intervene and give your maple a fighting chance against the sun.

The allure of Japanese Maples lies in their colour, but when the vivid reds, pinks, and oranges start to fade to grey and brown, it's a sign your plant is beginning to falter.

Regrettably, if the leaves do get scorched, recovery may take some time, but come autumn, if you've put in the effort, you can still look forward to a spectacular fall bloom.

Roger Eavis, a gardening guru from GreenShutters, has shared his top two tips for dealing with signs of scorching on your plants. Firstly, he advises: "Keep the soil or compost well-watered and never let them dry out. If the leaves on your Japanese maples appear dry or scorched in summer, this is likely to be a lack of moisture.

"This is, by far, the main cause of dieback. Most Japanese maples will grow happily in direct sun if they are kept well-watered, which means once a day during hot weather if they are in a pot, and two or three times a week if planted in the ground. If not, plant them where they will get shade for part of the day."

He also recommends relocating your maple to a sheltered spot where it won't be battered by strong winds. This is particularly crucial as your maple starts to sprout new leaves, as gusts can easily blow young shoots away.

Roger added: "These two tips will keep your Japanese maples healthy and vigorous all summer, and they will reward you with incredible autumn colours."

The RHS echoes Roger's advice, but for those green-fingered enthusiasts wanting to go above and beyond, they suggest adding some mulch around the base of the tree. This will help retain moisture, but they emphasise not to mulch up to the trunk of the maple to avoid any rot or disease.