Japanese Maple Decline Near Pond: Leaf Scorch?

1.5-year Japanese maple, top 1/4 dying, leaves curling, drying, orange. No borers, warm/humid/wet. NJ Zone 6. Pond started last year, koi spawned.

Likely: Wind Leaf Scorch

Recent windy weather? Scorch = margins brown, curl, especially top/exposed leaves. Test: scratch bark — green = alive, brown = dead.

Other Causes

• Root rot (wet soil) — check drainage.
• Verticillium wilt — sudden branch death.
• Salt damage — if pond overflow/splash.

Resources

George's site has Japanese maple links.

Congrats on koi spawn!