Early this spring I dug up a sappling from my mother's Japanese maple tree and transplanted it in a large container on my deck. It appears to be pretty happy but the new growth is coming in weird. At first I thought it was baby leaves uncurling into mature leaves ... except that they have never uncurled. They look deformed and they are lighter than the original leaves. What's going on with my tree??

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Two possiblities to consider: moisture issues (not enough water, an undeveloped root system, windy conditions) or verticillium wilt fungus (part of the plant is affected and the rest looks fine).

Since this is the first summer for the tree, I would assume that it is a watering issue. The soil should be well drained and evenly moist (not wet, not dry, just moist).

You may have to check the soil around it regularly until it becomes established. Water the ground around the root ball since it may lack a good root system. Normally, it is best to water deep and not often. But this is the plant's first year and it is summer so give it a little break from that rule.

Luis

cool ... here is another one ...

Thanks everyone. More water it is ...