Issues with young maple - Ask Extension
I planted an Autumn Blaze Maple a year ago and it seemed to do fine over last summer and the winter. I noticed recently that the leaf tips have turned...
Knowledgebase
Issues with young maple #870986
Asked May 31, 2024, 4:00 PM EDT
I planted an Autumn Blaze Maple a year ago and it seemed to do fine over last summer and the winter. I noticed recently that the leaf tips have turned brown/black, and they have started to shrivel and dry starting from the top. There is a frost crack that formed over the winter and I noticed the graft site has several cracks in the bark around it. Is this a matter of needing to give it more water, or are the cracks near the base causing this? Is there anything that can be done to help the cracks heal?
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Adding more photos
Hello,
I think you are seeing the result of improper planting depth. The lower trunk of your tree is in pretty rough shape, and showing signs of stress, as are the wilting tips in the canopy. Please read the following article which shows how to locate the root flare and how to spot girdling roots. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/trees-planted-too-deeply/.
I would recommend carefully clearing away some of the dirt and mulch around the base of the tree to locate the root flare, taking care not to damage the shallow root system. Turf should ideally be removed around the dripline and mulch placed in a 2–3-inch layer around the tree, well away from the trunk itself. Make sure that the drainage is not negatively impacted. You do not want to create a large bowl where water will sit on the roots for extended periods.
If you see a girdling root, you might want to call an arborist to help you decide on how to handle it. (Management depends on the size of the root and whether it is grafted onto any other parts of the trunk or root system.) We always recommend an ISA-certified arborist. Find one here:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Make sure to give the tree plenty of water for the first few years. Trees lose a lot of roots in the transplanting process and need frequent watering.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
I think you are seeing the result of improper planting depth. The lower trunk of your tree is in pretty rough shape, and showing signs of stress, as are the wilting tips in the canopy. Please read the following article which shows how to locate the root flare and how to spot girdling roots. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/trees-planted-too-deeply/.
I would recommend carefully clearing away some of the dirt and mulch around the base of the tree to locate the root flare, taking care not to damage the shallow root system. Turf should ideally be removed around the dripline and mulch placed in a 2–3-inch layer around the tree, well away from the trunk itself. Make sure that the drainage is not negatively impacted. You do not want to create a large bowl where water will sit on the roots for extended periods.
If you see a girdling root, you might want to call an arborist to help you decide on how to handle it. (Management depends on the size of the root and whether it is grafted onto any other parts of the trunk or root system.) We always recommend an ISA-certified arborist. Find one here:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Make sure to give the tree plenty of water for the first few years. Trees lose a lot of roots in the transplanting process and need frequent watering.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
