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Autumn Blaze maple trunk damage #907675

Asked June 28, 2025, 10:24 PM EDT

Hi I bought this Autumn Blaze Maple tree from Costco last year and planted it in my yard. I am noticing some damage near the base of the trunk from an unknown cause and I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about in terms of the Integrity of the tree moving forward? The tree continues to grow offshoots near the base as well. Should I consider removing it or will it heal itself and continue to grow ok?

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Erin,

The tree looks like it was damaged by an animal or by a weed whip or mower. Unless the damage goes all the way around the trunk the tree should heal.

But this maple has other issues. It looks like it may have two trunks and it was planted too deep, which may be why you’re getting suckers sprouting from the bottom. Instead of looking like a telephone pole going into the ground, the tree should have a root flare at ground level where the trunk widens.

Planting a maple too deep is a death sentence for the tree. They often develop girdling roots that grow around the trunk, strangling the tree.

You could try to scrape soil away from the base of the tree until you see the root flare or you could replace it. The red leaves at the branch ends indicate the tree is already stressed.

Here’s more information about girdling roots and planting trees: 

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/tree-planting-basics#:~:text=Ideally%2C%20the%20planting%20hole%20should%20be%20two,towards%20the%20base%20of%20the%20rootball%20(Fig.&text=Trees%20can%20be%20planted%20too%20deep%20when,the%20root%20ball%20is%20the%20appropriate%20depth.

https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/22789115-6e92-4dfd-b3e7-03579192faef/content

Sorry for the bad news. Good luck.

MJ Replied June 29, 2025, 9:44 AM EDT

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