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Japanese Maple Sunscald/Herbicide Damage: Environmental Stress Diagnosis

A Japanese maple shows half its leaves on one side parched, brown, and wilted while the other half looks healthy.

Expert Diagnosis

Steve identified likely environmental causes:

Damaged side adjacent to building, sidewalk, or driveway (reflected heat)
Possible herbicide drift on affected side
Not insect or disease related

Diagnostic Aid

Photo showing tree position relative to hardscape would confirm. The unilateral pattern strongly indicates external environmental factor rather than systemic pathogen.

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