Pro tip: I tried a 2% solution of horticultural oil on a young red maple in early spring instead of my usual dormant spray.

The tree ended up with some minor leaf curl and scorch on the new growth, which I wasn't expecting at all. I'm guessing the timing was off or the concentration was too strong for that stage of bud break. Has anyone else run into this with a spring application on maples?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael_jones8d ago

Yeah, maples are super sensitive to oil.

lucas_jenkins7d ago

Ugh, tell me about it. Lost a beautiful one last year after some roadwork nearby. They just can't handle that stuff at all. Feels bad every time I see the empty spot.

sarah2687d ago

Actually it's more about the salt they use for de-icing than oil from roadwork. The salt gets into the soil and the tree can't take up water right. Saw it kill three red maples on my old street after a tough winter. The roots just dry out even if the ground looks wet.