Poorly Maple Tree

thenewhouseme17

My 10 Year old maple tree is not look healthy. It comes into leaf ok but then very quickly the top leaves start to fade. The leaves look as if it is autumn and fade and wither away.
I have had a specialist look at it and they gave it a sugar drench which did not make any difference. I have started to give it a good drink everyday in case it is just very thirsty. I cannot see any insects on it that would cause this to happen. Any advice would be appreciated.

Posy

Hello, welcome to the forum. Can you say a bit more about your tree: is it in the ground or a pot? How big is the pot and the tree OR what sort of soil do you have? How much sun does it get? Is the site windy? All this information will help to work out what is wrong.

thenewhouseme17

Hi, The tree is in the ground. I don't know what the soil type is however, other plants grow there happily. It is not particulary in a windy space and it has sun.
It is about 15 feet away from a silver birch which appears to be happy.
I can send photos if that would help.

BobTheGardener

Yes, please upload a few - one of the whole tree and close-ups of the prolem areas and affected leaves if possible.

thenewhouseme17

Thank you Bob. I hope you can see the photos and the problem. 

BobTheGardener

Interesting.  I don't know that particular variety but it looks like wind and/or sun bleaching although it could be nutrient deficiency causing interveinal chlorosis (lack of chlrophyll.)  This can be caused by simple lack of nitrogen but also lack of other nutrients and trace elements such as calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium.  Your particular soil may be lacking in some vital trace nutrient.  If you haven't already been feeding the tree, try applying a general liquid plant food which says it includes trace nutrients on the label, follow dosage instructions on the packet and keep watering regularly.   I've resized and re-posted a couple of your photos below so they will show on the page in case anyone can help further:

thenewhouseme17

Thank you so much Bob for your reply. I don't think it is sun or wind damage. I think it is likely to be lack of nutrients and water.
Are you able to advise which particular plant food you would recommend? We only have a small garden and I use Miracle Grow for the majority of my plants.
Your advice would be very welcome.

BobTheGardener

I believe Miracle Grow does include trace elements, so that should be fine.  Do you happen to know whether your soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline?  Knowing that may help as acid or alkaline soils can make it difficult for plants to take-in nutrients, even though they are available.  To combat that, spraying with a foliar feed (eg one labelled as a seaweed tonic') on a dry but overcast day may help.

thenewhouseme17

I dont know for sure about the soil but I do know that plants that are acid loving, my camelia for instance don't do well unless I treat them with an ericasious feed which suggests the soil is alkaline I think.

BobTheGardener

In that case, try using the ericaceous feed on the tree as many maples don't like alkaline soil.  A foliar feed spray on the leaves would be absorbed directly, so that's still worth trying in addition.

thenewhouseme17

Thank you so much. That makes perfect sense. I have just given it an ericaseous feed and I'm wondering if putting some ericaseous compost around the base of the tree may help.