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Sugar Maple Tree Wilting #868078

Asked May 12, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT

I planted a 7-gallon Sugar Maple tree in my backyard 2 years ago. However, I didn’t realize how wet the backyard gets. The following year, the tree didn’t do too well - the tree’s canopy was very thin, didn’t grow much, and the branches seem to droop or couldn’t support the weight of the leaves; also, the edges of the leaves curled up. Late last year, I transplanted the tree to the front yard. The front yard has much better soil (black dirt/sand mix) and water management. This year, the leaves are wilting. Is the tree still trying to recover from the terrible wet environment that it was in during year 1-2, or is it too late for this tree?

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Picture from 5/12

The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2024, 2:00 PM EDT

Picture from 5/12

The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT
As you can see from the above reassignments, this is a difficult question. I do not know the answer either, but recommend that you wait and see how the tree responds. Recovery may depend on how much soil and roots were kept when the tree was moved. I hope that you dug a hole wider but no deeper than the root ball. And that the roots were trimmed slightly when the tree was replanted. See this web page. 
extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs
Human recovery after injury or surgery can take months. This tree may be on a similiar time line. 

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