Leaves turning brown and dieing Maple and Gardenia

[NathanM]

Hey guys,
Got a coule of trees, a Japanese Maple and a Gardenia with some unhappy leaves. The maple has been doing it for quite a while. The leaves go brown from the tips and the brown moves in from there. At first I thought maybe the maple ws burning in the sun, so I've moved it to a mroe shady area and cut the brown leaves off, but it's still doing it. I'm not under watering it, and I don't think I'm overwatering it either. And it has no visible pests, and I've given it a spray with Confidor just in case. Got me baffled :s
I'm even thinking about bare-trunking itand chopping it down. Hmmmm. Any ideas?

The other thing is theGardenia. It appears to be stupidly healthy. New shoots and leaves everywhere, 95% of the leaves bright green. Going great guns. But something bigger leaves starting to go a blackish-borwn at the tip, and again it worked it's way through the leaves. I've pulled the offending ones off, but still not sure what it could be.

Both trees are currently get one feed of Miracle grow a week. The last month I've been giving 1.5 strength dosage, but the maple was a bit uspet before then.
Can anyone offer any guidance/suggsetions?
Thanks everyone!!
Nathan =)

[Elias]

If it's not the sunburnt maybe thrip...?
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/thrips.htm
Confidor should do the trick, just remember to spray again in a couple of weeks to break their cycle.

[Jamie]

the maple sounds like a wind burn problem, being a japanese variety they have delicate leaves and even a constant breeze will dry them out enough to do it, especially in our climate mate. put it in a sheltered position away from any wind and having it in a partial shade position wont hurt either.
like Elias said it could be thrips aswell. so do your repeat spray with confidor.


hope it comes back strong for ya

jamie

[NathanM]

Thanks for the feedback guys =)
Wind.... Hmmm... Thats a possibility I hadn't thought of. My area is generally quite well protected from wind, but we do get a breeze through.
But, I gave it a dose of Confidor, so will reapply next weekend =) It hasn't grown in size much at all since I've had it either =/Silly maple/
Azaleas don't like me, but maybe maples don't either?