Early this week I noticed one of my japanese coral maple tree go from a green to bright green, and its leaf's dropping instead of perked up. This was my third one - I had planted this one last year around this same time, following instructions from the tree shipping company (a bit of fertilizer, watered soil, planting and mulch). The only significant thing that has changed in the yard within the past two weeks are adding new black mulch (to the tree and other yard areas), and lawnmowing. Can someone please help indicate what's wrong or what can I try? This tree was doing well for an entire year. The first 4 pictures are of the tree changing from the past 5 days to today.
Some history... Why is this my third tree? Well out of first two threes, the older one had this same problem last year around this same time... it ended up dying. Back then, I tried everything (water flushing, checking moisture/watering, sun protection, soil check, lime, fertilizing, mulch) and it still died. The pictures of the dying tree from last year are at the end. The second tree was snapped by wild life earlier this year, and seems to be hanging there (added a picture)... This third one is all that I have left.
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