Acer tree problem.
By Opticus
United Kingdom 
I have a 30 year old Acer Purpureum in my garden about 15 foot high. All the leaves have shrivelled and turned brown over the last 3 weeks.
I live in Leeds, West Yorkshire fairly high up near the airport.
The tree is next to a leylandi hedge so is fairly sheltered to the north aspect.
30 Aug, 2009
Answers
The leylandii with suck all of the nutrients out of the soil, they are terrorists in the garden!! I would dig around the bottom of your Acer, incorporate some ericaceous soil and give it a good water. Cover the bottom with bark chippings to keep the moisture in. When it cools off later in the season stop watering.
30 Aug, 2009
If its 30 years old and only 12 feet high, is it one of the palmatum dissectum or other ornamental varieties like Bloodgood, etc?
I'd be surprised if drought was the cause as it should have a good root system after 30 years, but it is always possible - we have not had enough rain in London (despite the awful July) and if you haven't watered, then that might be it. Any sign of other problems, like excessive scale insect, etc? Is the tree still alive?
30 Aug, 2009
kill the leylandi lol .how long is the life span of an acer this type perhaps its just old
30 Aug, 2009
Could be drought, those leylands are thirsty critters!
Hackemback!
He, he.
1 Sep, 2009
we need a bit more information - may be draught?
30 Aug, 2009