Q.My Recently Planted Sugar Maple Has Gone Into Fall Coloration In Early August. What Should I Do?
The tree is 2 1/2″ and was planted 4 weeks ago. My soil is clay and I have watered 2 to 3 times a week.
Maples are often the first trees to exhibit fall color. Early color change often means some kind of stress: the tree is entering dormancy to protect itself. In clay soil, be careful not to overwater. Maples are sensitive to this. Water deeply but weekly. Use a trowel to poke around the soil. It should not be soggy. Make sure the root flare is showing. Unfortunately, often trees are planted too deeply. Eventually this will rot the trunk bark. Lastly, planting a tree in July is a stressor all by itself. Even after leaves color and fall, the roots continue to work to get established. Make sure to continue weekly watering through fall. It may be leafless but it still loses moisture from branches and twigs. Here are some more tips: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/planting-sugar-maple-trees.htm
