Once they get established the leaves might not burn as much but generally speaking japanese maples aren't full hot sun trees. Further north where the temps are more moderate they can do 8-10 hours but I wouldn't expect them to do great in full atlanta sun. In utah where I'm at I have planted some in filtered sun (behind other trees that take the brunt of the hot afternoon sun) and still got some leaf scorch.

The thing about the label is that they put that label on plants that get sent all over the states. Its unfortunate that it doesn't cover your specific area and there are plenty of plants that get killed every year because they are put in the wrong location based on the tag but it just is what it is. I'd recommend trying to find a new location that gets filtered sun or a lot of shade and then talk to someone at the nursery about your locations and what types of plants you want for those spots.

Sorry for the trouble you've had with them and good luck with finding something suitable.

 

Are you sure it isn't wind burn from transporting them home? If they were not protected in transport the travel speed will dry out a tree in short order. Also, it's been windy and cloudy lately in ATL, nowhere near sunny or hot enough to burn a JM. I'm guessing the trees are not getting enough water. I have each planted in full sun and it is common to see them out in the open here.

Saturate the root ball, allow sufficient time for the tree to uptake the water, and then water again. Trees lose a lot of moisture from wind and when they are not planted and established can dry out quickly in the recent weather conditions here.

 

Once they get established the leaves might not burn as much but generally speaking japanese maples aren't full hot sun trees. Further north where the temps are more moderate they can do 8-10 hours but I wouldn't expect them to do great in full atlanta sun. In utah where I'm at I have planted some in filtered sun (behind other trees that take the brunt of the hot afternoon sun) and still got some leaf scorch.

The thing about the label is that they put that label on plants that get sent all over the states. Its unfortunate that it doesn't cover your specific area and there are plenty of plants that get killed every year because they are put in the wrong location based on the tag but it just is what it is. I'd recommend trying to find a new location that gets filtered sun or a lot of shade and then talk to someone at the nursery about your locations and what types of plants you want for those spots.

Sorry for the trouble you've had with them and good luck with finding something suitable.

I would echo this. Being a fellow Georgian, you should check out the "Glowing Embers" cultivar, developed by Michael Dirr at UGA. See this: https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story.html?storyid=2228&story=18--Glowing-Embers