My Red Maple Was Beautiful But Now, April 25, Has Pale Red To Pink Leaves Falling Off

Question

I am worried about my beautiful red maple, It is about 15 years old, It had leaved out and was beautiful until last week, I had fertilized in about April 10, then we had a late freeze followed by some cold nights, rainy day, Temps are unusually cold for April in TN, Now the leaves have turned pale red to pink and are falling off, They are not brown or damaged, I do not know if the fertilizer for tree and shrubs caused this or the new growth and then the freeze. But I am very worried that I have damaged it by fertilizing it early,, used the wrong fertilizer or something, Any advise you can give me will be appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm going out on a limb and saying you mean a red Japanese maple and not a maple that turns red in fall. A red maple tree wouldn't have red leaves already in the spring, though they can have red stems and flowers and leaves with a blush of red. It doesn't sound right off like a disease, so it could be the late freeze or the fertilizer. Less is more with fertilizer, especially with the nitrogen. Have you been feeding this way every year? The article below says to feed in late winter when the ground is still frozen or after the last frost. You managed to do it right between there.
I would just continue to keep it watered when needed and the lost leaves should grow back. In case it's a fungal infection, go ahead and pickup all the fallen leaves and dispose of them in the trash.

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

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