No. They look fine when they are happy at my house. The further north you go, the more unhappy they might get. But I would look to other issues on why they are not looking good. Pictures??

Harry

How long have you had it in the ground?

One year.

Mine is in a pot so it may be different, but I have to fertilize the hell out of mine to keep it looking good.

Heres a photo.. Sorry its dark but its my first attempt.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I've included a link to a UF article about growing carambolas in FL and in the environmental conditions it seems to describe your symptoms. Your tree might be getting too much water or too little water. Does that seem like a possibility to you?

Here is a link that might be useful: UF: Carambola Growing in The Florida Landscape

My vote is too little water.....you must water these trees deeply and often to get best performance.

Harry

Carambolas also highly dislike windy conditions. So a combination of wind and lack of water would certainly make one unhappy.

Jeff

I never watered my in-ground carambola for 3 years! It depended on only rain (in Houston). It always looked healthy.

If I don't water my Carambolas they tell me, they wilt and close their leaves. Both are in the ground ~ 6 months and one has taken off while the other is languishing. It's healthy but not like the other.

Your pic also looks like some of the leaves are pale? Maybe not enough fertilizer?

I did nothing! Here it is today!!

nice! the "do nothing" method is my favorite way of growing things!

Jun in Houston,
How did your Carambola fair over the past two winters? I live just south of houston and have thought about putting one in the ground but I've been nervous after these past two winters. What did you do to protect it?