Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - May 25, 2012
From: Littleton, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Dying leaves on Autumn Blaze Maple tree in Littleton, CO
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I have an autumn blaze maple where for the last two years the left side of the tree turns light green, then brown, and leaves die. The right side is dark green, normal. Is this a water over/under problem or something else? ThanksANSWER:
The Autumn Blaze Maple is a hybrid, and as such falls outside the focus of The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center which is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.
Your question has Mr. Smarty Plants asking some questions. Since he can’t see the tree, he can’t tell the left side from the right side. Is the tree growing next to a building or another tree? Does it get full sun, or partial sun? What kind of soil is it in? How much water does it receive? What time of year does this occur?
Answers to all of these could be useful in diagnosing your tree’s problem, so I’m suggesting that you contact the folks at the Arapahoe County office of Colorado State University Extension and see if one of their agents can look at your tree and help you with your problem.
This website of the North Dakota State University Extension fields questions about maples, and may be helpful.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Leaves turning brown in Fredonia KS
June 16, 2009 - Leaves turning brown.
view the full question and answer
Moth using Agarita as its larval food in New Braunfels, TX
March 27, 2009 - What moth uses agarita as its larval food? It is a perennial problem that can nearly defoliate the specimen and severely limit its flower production.
view the full question and answer
Elaeagnus sudden death in Waxahachie, TX
May 11, 2015 - I live in North Central Texas and have eleagnus planted along my fence in full sun. Last year one dropped all it's leafs and died. The same is happening to one beside it this year. I have sprayed ...
view the full question and answer
Western soapberry dropping leaves in San Antonio
June 03, 2013 - My Western Soapberry tree (China berry?) Suddenly started dropping full, perfectly healthy green, leaf units. Now half the tree is turning yellow. There is a second tree in the yard not far from this ...
view the full question and answer
Black leaves and dying kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
December 16, 2007 - My kinnikinnick has developed dark leaf spots and, in some cases the entire leaf has turned black or entire plants have turned black and died off. I'm worried about leaf spot, root rot and leaf gall...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |