Fuzzy tips on an acer?

My poor acer is still struggling to recover after the drought last year. I had to cut almost half of it out in spring as that much was just dead.

This year it has tried to grow a good 10" all over, and did produce good leaves initially, but they all crisped and died in the end (black crisping. Too dry? Too wet?).

Anyhoo, I'm now seeing this on the ends of some of the new growth. What's going on with my poor tree now?

I get a strong crosswind, but I was careful to plant it where it's got a large garage on the windy side to shelter it. It does get a lot of sun but until last year it was growing beautifully. Soil is sandy and drains well.

If it makes any difference, the variety is Orange Dream. It's about 4ft tall and wide now.