Maple tree with dead branches - Ask Extension
We transplanted a maple tree September 2022. It looked stressed last year but was getting enough water. This year about 1/3 of branches are dead. We...
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Maple tree with dead branches #874063
Asked June 21, 2024, 12:10 PM EDT
We transplanted a maple tree September 2022. It looked stressed last year but was getting enough water. This year about 1/3 of branches are dead. We want to know what is our course of action to save this tree.
Lyon County Minnesota
Expert Response
All you can do is make sure it gets enough water this year and every year. Test the soil before watering to make sure the soil is nearly dry before giving it more water. Soil should be damp but never soggy. The tree will have to replace its root system to thrive and hopefully transplantation didn’t do too much damage.
https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs
https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs
So should I cut all the dead branches and reshape tree? Is this right time to trim live branches now?
The dead branches can be taken off anytime. It would be best to leave the live branches for now because pruning stimulates growth and the tree needs to regrow roots this season.
