I recently planted a japanese maple, about 2 ft high. How often should I water it?

Question

I also have put a water tube around it for about 3 weeks...it slowly drips on it. That tube is now empty. Currently the leaves have shriveled up and most I have pulled off.

I live in Charlotte, NC

Thanks

Answer 1

refill the tube and keep watering it.... we're all suffering thru this drought and the trees are too.... this might not have been the best time to plant a new one!!... but... keeping the ground moist around the roots is key....those little new roots will continue to grow, even tho the tree has lost leaves and appears to have gone dormant... but they are tiny and they need soft, moist soil to grow in.... so if you must, use your hands to dig down a little and see for sure how moist the soil is being kept by the tube!!!..... only when the ground is completely frozen at root depth will growth there stop... and for us in Charlotte, that might not be until February!!!....

from now on, don't pull off dead leaves... let them fall on their own.... pulling can injure the leaf bud behind the dying leaf!...

come spring, your little tree will smile for you!!...

Answer 2

Was it 3 weeks ago when planted? Also, if you knick the bark with a fingernail, do you see green? If so, then you're ok, just keep the soil moist. Anytime I have planted a new tree, I spent the first few weeks watering with miracle-gro (using a feeder). Thus far, have not had any ill results, just good ones.

The leaves could have shriveled up due to shock of transplant. I've had trees do that, and in keeping them moist and happy, they end up re-sprouting quickly as they adjust to the new setting.

Answer 3

I also live in North Carolina. Boone to be exact, and have a home improvement and landscaping business. Jap Maple tree's loose their leaves when the weather gets cold, so that is whats probably going on with your tree. They also go dormant right now, so STOP watering it, or you will be dealing with root rot. NO watering until late March. Don't worry about the lost leaves. The very tips of the branches may die. If they do, they will turn a grayish white color. In late spring, approx. the first part of June, just break the white dead tips off. Your tree will be fine.