duncanjer0
Seed
I was wondering if anyone had any research to indicate approximately how long a leaf would need to photosynthesize to be energy neutral or positive to a tree. I moved to New Mexico a year ago, and for the past two years most of the Japanese Maples in my collection have had leaf burn by mid-summer. As a result, I don't really get any fall color, and the leaves basically burn and then fall off in the fall. I was thinking that since we have such a long growing season that extends into October and part of November, that maybe I could give a fertilizer boost in mid-August once the incessant heat abates and see if they would leaf out again. I don't want to do this though if it is an energy expense that the tree would not be able to recoup in a short two months of photosynthesis with a shortened photoperiod moving into fall. Any thoughts or recommendations?