Japanese maple is losing its leaves. what can I do?

Question

It is in a pot. The soil is well drained

Answer 1

There are several things you can check for such as leaf scorch, roots touching side or bottom of container (root prune), improper watering, insects and disease. You say the soil is well draining, but Japanese maples do not like wet feet.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maples-in-containers.htm

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/maple_petiole_borer_causing_leaf_drop_in_maple_trees

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/ipmnet/JapaneseMapleScale-UMD-1.pdf

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-problems.htm