Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil one inch deep to see if it is dry.
- Check if the wilting is happening on one branch or the whole tree.
- Examine the base of the trunk for any signs of injury.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves will look limp and feel dry or crispy at the edges. This happens when the soil has been dry for longer than 10 days.
What to do: Water the tree deeply until the soil is moist 6 to 8 inches down. Ensure you are watering every 5 to 10 days depending on the heat.
Verticillium wilt
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by soil pathogens entering through root damage. You will see sudden wilting of individual branches while the rest of the tree looks fine.
What to do: Prune out the affected branches well below the wilted area, sterilizing your tools with bleach between cuts. Keep the tree well watered and mulched to reduce stress, as there is no cure.
Find out what's wrong with your striped 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
If the tree wilts during the heat of the day but recovers at night, it is just thirsty. If it stays wilted all day, it is a serious sign of root trouble.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and avoid digging near the roots. Apply a layer of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
Striped maple: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your striped 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
- Should I fertilize a drooping tree?
- No, never fertilize a stressed tree. Wait until it has recovered and is showing new growth.
- Is my tree dying if it has Verticillium wilt?
- It can be fatal, but some trees can live for years with minor infections. Focus on keeping the tree healthy and stress free.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Striped maple
- Why are my Striped maple leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Striped maple leaves curling?
- Why are there bugs on my Striped maple?
- Why are the tips of my Striped maple leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Striped maple losing its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my striped maple leaves?
- Is my striped maple suffering from root rot?
- Why is my striped maple looking thin and leggy?
Back to the Striped 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.