October Maple in distress. Help!

Can you tell me what's going on with my October Maple? It's about 2 years old.

I don't have a good guess. Is the tree chlorotic in general?

About 90% of the leaves look like this. I'm taking some photos - I'll post in a bit.

Here are the pics...

another one...

last one

Oops - posted same pic twice...

http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ID=261

Sure looks like most of our Red Maples around here, but our pH's are 7.0 - 7.8 and they can't get the micros they need.

Maybe someone else has ideas.

leaf spot from the spring rains, and now looks heat stressed. imo

One the tree isn't happy, two it needs help, three soil is not right for the tree. I would treat it for Iron deficiency 'Ironite', mixed with soil amendments for now outside the root zone. Compost with wood or sawdust and manure over the site and keep doing it. Airate the soil with a fork or airaiator. Don't treat the fungal spots they are only stress related and when compost relieves the stress all is well.

if it's heat stressed the maples prematurely turn color.

Thanks guys. We're in the middle of a heat wave. We've been at or above 100 degrees for about a week now, and it wasn't much cooler before hand. I will treat as you all have suggested. Thanks again! CT

Did you buy the tree in a container? And do you remember if it was rootbound?

Just as a recommendation, when I buy container grown trees I usually dunk the rootball in a tub of water and wash out all of the potting mix. By doing that, I can unwind the circling roots and spread them out in the direction I want them to go.. The potting mix that the nurseries use dries out so much faster than the surrounding soil.

You are a wise person escambiaguy. I can only agree. I always when plants are in any pots pull them out of the pot at the nursery and look at the roots. B&B I'm not worried. I have never had any luck changing the roots.

I should have also added that I only do that while the tree is dormant. I wouldn't try it while it's leafed out.

I think that is a great idea. When ever I get trees in the fall I can check the root balls better by washing off the soil and planting appropriately. I have learned something wise and logical. Thanks escambiaguy!

I bought the tree from Lowe's in a standard black plastic temporary container almost two years ago. I didn't soak the rootball, but I did separate most of the potting soil from the roots and mixed with the surrounding clay soil when I planted. It has been thriving ever since I planted it - grown fast - had lots of leaves, good color. It's just been in the last month or so that it started looking like this. Pretty much directly related to the increase in temps I think. I also had someone here at work recommend buying a "root waterer". A device that you attach your hose to and insert down into the ground to deliver water directly to the roots. Any thoughts on this?

I wouldn't mess with a deep root waterer. if you water the tree and area around the tree enough it will soak down. i have a few sugar maples, 2 planted last fall and one i planted this spring, 3 out of 4 are very heat stressed. I think since they are so new is why they get so stressed, i just give them plenty of cool water, that's about all i can do unless i hook up an a/c unit and a shade tent! lol.