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Japanese Maple · Acer palmatum

Why is my Japanese Maple dropping its leaves?

Sudden leaf drop on a Japanese Maple is a serious sign that something is wrong with the roots or the tree's health. While some shedding is normal in autumn, losing leaves in spring or summer requires immediate attention. Check the branches for signs of disease or damage.

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Check these first

  1. Check if the leaf drop is happening on only one branch or side.
  2. Feel the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
  3. Examine the wood under the bark for dark discoloration.

Likely causes

  1. Verticillium Wilt

    Most likely

    How to tell: Branches suddenly wilt and die back, often on just one side of the tree. If you peel back the bark, you might see dark streaks in the wood.

    What to do: There is no cure for this fungus. Prune out affected branches well below the damage, sterilizing your tools with alcohol between every cut to prevent spreading.

  2. Root Rot

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow or brown and drop while the soil stays soggy. The roots may look mushy or smell bad if you dig down to check them.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and ensure the pot or planting site has excellent drainage. If the tree is in a pot, repot it into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any black, rotting roots.

Leaf drop in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your japanese maple

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Leaf drop is normal in autumn as the tree prepares for winter. It is a major emergency if it happens during the growing season, especially if branches are dying back.

Stopping it coming back

Avoid overwatering and ensure your soil drains well. Keep tools clean and disinfected when pruning to avoid introducing fungal spores.

Japanese Maple: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese maple and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I save a tree with Verticillium wilt?
It is very difficult. You can try to prune out the infected parts and keep the tree stress free, but the fungus lives in the soil and often eventually kills the tree.
Is it normal for my tree to lose leaves in July?
No, that is not normal. It usually indicates a problem with water, root health, or a fungal infection.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Japanese Maple

Back to the Japanese Maple guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.